The Toffees were twice forced to come from behind as Quique Flores's side came agonisingly close to a victory on their return to the Premier League on Saturday
Arouna Kone denied Watford an opening day win as Everton twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with the Premier League new boys.
Miguel Layun opened the scoring in the 14th minute for Watford, beating Tim Howard with a powerful drive inside the penalty area.
Ross Barkley's sweetly struck effort in the second half looked to have secured a point for Roberto Martinez's side, before Odion Ighalo fired the visitors back in front.
But, with less than five minutes of normal time remaining, Kone spared the hosts a disappointing defeat.
Making only his 23rd appearance since joining the club in 2013 - a period ravaged by 14 months out with a knee injury - the Ivory Coast international spared manager Roberto Martinez's blushes and warded off home jeers that had rolled down from the stands earlier in the contest.
Romelu Lukaku was passed fit to lead the Everton attack following a hamstring problem but a knock in training for Leighton Baines meant 19-year-old Brendan Galloway started at left-back.
And the teenager made an important early challenge to deny Watford captain Troy Deeney, who has broken the 20-goal barrier in each of the past three seasons at Championship level.
It meant Everton had been served ample warning of their visitors' intentions when Phil Jagielka failed to deal with a left-wing cross and Layun lashed a shot beyond Tom Howard.
Gareth Barry tested Heurelho Gomes with a header from Kevin Mirallas' 19th-minute corner and the Brazilian produced another fingertip save when Barkley unleashed a piledriver from the left-hand corner of the penalty area.
Deeney might have soured a fine 45 minutes for Watford as a two-footed lunge on Galloway saw him only booked, before Layun drilled narrowly wide and the home side departed to boos at half-time.
Gomes was alert to push a mishit cross from Seamus Coleman over his bar but the former Tottenham keeper dashed rashly from his line in the 50th minute - Lukaku failing to punish him as he headed Barkley's raking ball off target - before Kone replaced Galloway amid continued frustration from the stands.
After Howard beat away a rasping drive from Jose Holebas, Kone got on the end of Cleverley's right-wing cross but headed wide in the 67th minute.
Kone turned provider nine minutes later, laying the ball off perfectly into Barkley's stride, and the midfielder sent a magnificent 25-yard effort arcing past Gomes' despairing dive.
Everton pushed for a winning goal but the hosts were stunned when Ighalo shimmied inside to leave Jagielka and Chelsea target John Stones in his wake before finishing calmly.
But three minutes later, the Watford backline was undone, as Kone coolly slid a shot past Gomes on the angle to cap a thrilling first-day spectacle.
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