The Melbourne Heart showed encouragement in their first time on the big stage, but Everton’s better finishing earned them a 2-0 win in Wednesday night’s soccer friendly at Etihad Stadium.
Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha scored for the English Premier League side, but it was by no means doom for the A-League’s newest club, as the Heart strung together some good passages and had a handful of opportunities.
The Heart’s performance — this was just their fourth game as a team — would have given the crowd of 19,261 good reason to think they will perform well in their debut A-League season.
But apart from Josip Skoko’s long-range effort in the first half and Eli Babalj’s volley in the second, which both drew good saves from Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner, the Heart lacked the killer finishing needed.
Big Dutchman Gerald Sibon played well as a focal point in attack but scoffed a golden chance early when he beat Turner one-out but shot wide.
Babalj and Jason Hoffman also found space in the second half but both puts their shots straight to the opposition goalkeeper.
In contrast, Saha made amends for a penalty miss in the opening minutes when he finished beautifully on his left foot on the hour.
Rodwell gave the visitors the lead when he knocked in Seamus Coleman’s cross in the 34th minute.
Everton’s win was the second on their pre-season tour of Australia, following last Saturday night’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC.
Socceroos star Tim Cahill spent the first half on the bench for Everton and had little impact when brought on at half-time, although the Heart’s defence was generally solid.
However the Heart made a shocking start as referee Matthew Breeze awarded Everton a penalty early, for Rutger Worm’s challenge on Coleman, but Saha put the shot wide of the net.
Cahill was given a warm ovation as he left the ground wearing a Heart top.
Heart coach John van ‘t Schip was encouraged by the performance given it was the first hit-out for the likes of Skoko, Michael Beauchamp and Alex Terra.
“Totally it was a good performance,” he said.
“In the first two minutes we were a little but lucky that they missed the penalty, but after that we got into the game, we started playing the ball around and I think we created a few good possibilities.”
Van ‘t Schip was confident the Heart would have most of their first-choice players available for the August 5 season opener, including John Aloisi and Matt Thompson, who are recovering from injuries.
Everton manager David Moyes said the game lacked the intensity of the clash with Sydney, but was satisfied with his team’s hit-out and impressed by the Heart.
“The coach looks as if he’s done a good job in the way he wants them to play,” he said.
“With a Dutch coach you can see a Dutch style to their play and that’s not always easy to introduce quickly.”
Everton will complete their tour against the Brisbane Roar on Saturday night, but Cahill will not play as he attends a teammate’s wedding.
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