JORDON Ibe’s second-half leveller meant Cherries kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla.

The former Liverpool wideman slotted home on 68 minutes at La Manga club, in a clash which saw boss Eddie Howe use 22 players in total.

Ibe’s neat finish cancelled out a first-half opener from Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder.

The Dorset club handed a first start to £10million summer signing David Brooks, who wore the number 20 shirt for the clash against the three-time Europa League winners.

The contest also made a moment in history, with the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the first time in Spain.

After defender Nathan Ake had put in a last-ditch challenge to deny winger Pejino, Cherries fashioned their first opportunity with 10 minutes gone.

After Borja Lasso had gifted possession to Lewis Cook, the England international struck just wide from 25 yards out.

Brooks then had a half-chance to score his first goal for Cherries. He drove into the box to meet Joshua King’s cutback but saw his strike at goal charged down by a sliding defender.

But it was last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists who took the lead on 25 minutes.

Having been set free by Nolito on the counter after Cherries lost possession, striker Ben Yedder surged at goal before finishing crisply past Asmir Begovic into the bottom corner.

The frontman continued where he left off last season for the Andalusian outfit, having scored 20 times in all competitions during the previous campaign.

Brooks then found Emerson Hyndman, who cut inside his man and worked Sevilla stopper Sergio Rico at his near post.

Cherries continued to look for a response during the opening period and they almost found it through striker Callum Wilson.

After Adam Smith fizzed in a cross from the right, the ball ricocheted to the former Coventry hitman, whose shot from close range fell just wide of the post.

Wilson then had the ball in the net for Howe’s men on 44 minutes. He slotted home after picking up King’s through ball, only to be flagged offside.

With both sides changing their entire starting XIs at the break, Cherries began what proved to be a heated second half on the front foot.

After Marc Pugh had forced a comfortable save, Harry Arter curled an effort just over the bar.

Arter then put in a strong challenge which allowed Ryan Fraser to play in Jermain Defoe. But the experienced frontman fired wide when seemingly being pulled back by a defender inside the area.

But eight minutes past the hour mark, Cherries found a leveller.

Lys Mousset released Ibe, who made a lung-busting run from right wing-back before slotting the ball into the net on the angle.

Defoe then had the chance to win it seven minutes from time after racing on to a ball over the top but saw his effort saved by the onrushing keeper.

Cherries (first half): Begovic, Smith, S Cook, Ake, Simpson, Daniels, Hyndman, L Cook, Brooks, King, Wilson.

Cherries (second half): Boruc, Ibe, Francis, Surman, Mings, Pugh, Arter, Gosling, Fraser, Mousset, Defoe.