With his resources again limited last night, Moyes made only one change from the team that started the 1-0 win at Deepdale.

It was a notable one, however, with Arteta taking the latest step in his rehabilitation from surgery to eradicate the troublesome abdominal and groin problems that dogged him last season.

But the Spaniard lasted only 30 minutes before being substituted as a precaution after undergoing treatment on the touchline to an injured left leg.

The lengthy absentee list has given van der Meyde plenty of playing time this summer. But his evening was curtailed by injury after only 12 minutes when he hobbled off the field and out of the tour to America – and who knows when, if ever, the Dutchman will be seen again in an Everton shirt.

Almost 10 years have passed since Everton last played a competitive game at the City Ground, Forest having subsequently dropped down two divisions before last season’s promotion back up to the Coca- Cola Championship.

The home side, eager to impress against Premier League opposition, didn’t hold back in the tackle and, as such, Everton were given a thorough work-out.

But, save a few penalty-box scrambles in which Everton’s experienced defence held firm, Forest’s first- half highlight was an overhead kick from Robert Earnshaw that was more spectacular than threatening.

Instead, it was the visitors who were the more lively going forward, the pace and unpredictability of Kieran Agard – partnering Lukas Jutkiewicz in attack for the second successive game – keeping the Forest back line on their toes.

Agard had the game’s first meaningful effort on 16 minutes with a shot that ruffled the side-netting before Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith was required to turn over Rodwell’s deflected effort from range. With his composed performances in central midfield, Rodwell has been the most impressive of the youngsters given their chance by Moyes this pre-season, and the 17-year-old will surely improve on his three senior appearances in the coming campaign.

Gosling, again operating alongside Rodwell in the Everton engine room, became a more prominent influence as the half progressed.

From an Agard lay-off, the 18- year-old solicited another save from Smith before, amid a crazy melee in the home box, Gosling was denied a certain goal by a brave block from Lewis McGugan. The Forest midfielder then played an integral role in Everton falling behind on 55 minutes when the unfortunate Valente, under pressure from Earnshaw, turned McGugan’s low, driven cross from the right into his own net.

Parity was restored in spectacular fashion 10 minutes later.

Baxter, who had replaced Arteta, gained possession in midfield, raced forward then unleashed a spectacular left-foot shot from 20 yards that flew into the top corner. Everton now head to Chicago this afternoon for the first leg of their American tour. And as on their previous visits Stateside, Moyes will hope his real team can begin to emerge.