Manchester City target Joleon Lescott converted from the spot as Everton won a sudden death penalty shoot-out after their friendly match against an MLS All-Stars had ended 1-1.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard was Everton's matchwinner in the 4-3 spot-kick success, with three saves helping the Premier League side come out on top in Salt Lake City.

Howard stopped spot-kicks from Brad Davis, Davy Arnaud and former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.

Although Jo and James Vaughan missed penalties, Leighton Baines, Phil Neville, Lescott and Jack Rodwell converted theirs.

Everton were gifted the opener in normal time in the 12th minute when US international Stuart Holden collected a throw in from near the All-Stars' byline and sent a casual pass across the edge of the penalty area straight at Louis Saha who coolly slotted past Kasey Keller.

The MLS team was soon on the scoresheet, however, as Mexican playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco sent in a high ball from halfway which Joleon Lescott failed to head clear near the penalty spot.

The ball went to the left edge of the area when Leighton Baines was bounced off the ball by Conor Casey, who passed inside with the outside of his foot behind the Everton defence.

Holden touched it on towards the back post where Brad Davis tapped in for a 26th-minute equaliser.

Blanco sent a free-kick straight at Howard but there was further anxiety for the Everton keeper in the 38th minute when a Holden cross from the right beat Joseph Yobo to give Casey a free header seven yards out, Howard having to change direction to save low to his left.

Next to test Howard was Seattle's Fredy Montero, who sent in a low drive from 20 yards that had the Everton keeper at full stretch to save to his right in the 42nd minute.

The strong finish to the opening period sent the MLS All-Stars into the half-time break much the happier with the 1-1 scoreline, although Everton boss David Moyes made no changes to his team at the interval.

Opposite number Dominic Kinnear, head coach of the Houston Dynamo, began to rotate the All-Stars at his disposal, introducing four new faces including Galaxy striker Landon Donovan and replacing Keller with Zach Thornton.

Thornton, however, lasted just 15 minutes before succumbing to injury and, having gained Moyes' permission, Kinnear sent Keller back into the fray, as well as making his final three changes.

It was Donovan who made the biggest impact, forcing Howard to push his chip from the left corner of the area over the bar in the 68th minute as Everton began to show the effects of both pre-season training and the high altitude in Utah.

Donovan, playing in his ninth All-Star game, had an even better chance in the 75th minute when Ljungberg collected a short pass from Casey inside the area, turned and crossed from the right to the Galaxy striker, who from the six-yard line and under pressure from the onrushing Howard sent his shot against the post.

Everton got a chance to move in front in the 82nd minute when substitute Jo was fouled on the left and when Baines sent in a free-kick to the near post, the Brazilian's header, the first shot of the half from the visitors, was sent just over the bar.

There was still time for the All-Stars to force the issue but Davy Arnaud's stoppage-time header was parried at close range by Howard to send the game to penalties and further spot-kick heroics.