Everton lost to a National League North side in a behind closed doors friendly

Everton were handed their latest setback of the season, as the Premier League strugglers embarrassingly lost a behind closed doors friendly with a National League North side.

It had looked like Sean Dyche was going to be Everton's saviour, when he rocked up at Goodison Park and got a win against league leaders Arsenal.

However, things have recently started to go wrong for the Toffees one again, and they have failed to pick up a win in their past four games.

There would have been some smiles around the place this morning, after they watched fellow relegation candidates Leeds United concede six against Liverpool.

With just seven games left of the season, Dyche's side are currently only above the thin red line due to goal difference over Nottingham Forest.

So tight is it down there, that it could well come down to that, which is why the shallacking Leeds took could be so important to their rivals.

However, just as things were looking slightly better for Everton, life has come crashing down for them again, as they tried to get some game time.

According to the Liverpool Echo, they faced National League North side Chester FC at their Finch Farm training ground on Tuesday afternoon.

They went down 1-0 to the sixth tier team, despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin making his return to action, with the likes of Yerry Mina, Conor Coady, Nathan Patterson, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies, Ellis Simms and Mason Holgate also playing.

Dyche won't be happy right now. Image: Alamy

Whilst the scoreline doesn't look great for Dyche and his side, the main takeaway from the match will be Calvert-Lewin's appearance.

The striker hasn't played much this season and last appeared for the team in the manager's first game, the win against Arsenal back in February.

Since then injury has kept him out of the team but getting him back on the pitch could be the key to keeping them in the top division, should he get back amongst the goals on his return.

Speaking about the striker following last weekend's loss to Fulham, the manager said, "Dom’s going well which is a positive.

"He’ll be back hopefully in the thinking this week as long as the week goes well. He’s had a very good week this week and we want him to have another very good week next week and then we’ll see how he’s feeling."