Nigeria international Victor Anichebe scored the only goal as English Premier League side Everton beat Sydney FC 1-0 in a preseason football match on Saturday.
Striker Anichebe turned smartly and drove a fierce shot past the Sydney goalkeeper in the first minute of the second half to decide a match played in front of 40,000 fans.
Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta, who was Everton's captain, played a starring role while Leon Osman, left back Leighton Baines and Anichebe were also prominent.
Everton's Australia international Tim Cahill played the second half while former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke, formerly Sydney FC's marquee player in Australia's A-League, played 62 minutes.
''It was a tough game for us, I thought we played well, I thought we passed it well,'' Everton manager David Moyes said. ''Maybe we didn't get as many chances as we would want but overall I was pleased.
''We thought for our first preseason game we played quite well, so that gives you an idea of where Sydney are.''
Cahill said it was ''brilliant'' to play against an Australian team.
''It was really impressive to see the football Sydney played and also the way we played,'' Cahill said. ''I warned the lads before the game how difficult this game was going to be, and how up for it they would be because I know a lot of the lads personally and they were a credit to themselves.''
