Norwich City v Everton

Tim Cahill's hat-trick helped Everton preserve their 100 percent pre-season record with a 4-2 win over Norwich City.

Things had looked comfortable when ex-Blues goalkeeper John Ruddy gifted the Aussie a sixth minute opener.

And when Cahill got his second seven minutes before half time, victory seemed assured.

But Norwich showed plenty to suggest that they will fare well in the Championship this season and Andrew Crofts headed in straight after half time before Andrew Surman levelled it before the hour mark.

Tim Cahill scores Everton's opener

But brilliance from Steven Pienaar and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov instantly handed the Toffees back the lead and then Cahill skillfully secured victory.

Everton had World Cup stars Tim Howard and Pienaar featuring for the first time this pre-season and the South African was involved in a flowing counter attack inside two minutes saw Ruddy thwart Jermaine Beckford at the expense of a corner.

The lively Pienaar worked a shooting chance from the flag kick but Elliott Ward blocked it.

Then Crofts had the Canaries' first effort, shooting over after dispossessing Mikel Arteta 25 yards out.

But Everton soon took the lead and it was a nightmare moment for goalkeeper Ruddy.

Seamus Coleman takes on Adam Drury

Seamus Coleman dribbled infield and fed Cahill on the edge of the box, the Aussie produced a shot on the turn that squirmed horribly through the legs of his former teammate.

Norwich gamely sought an equaliser and in the 19th minute Tony Hibbert deflected Wes Hoolahan's shot wide and Chris Martin nodded the corner off target.

The same player then fired a past the post as the home side enjoyed their best spell, with Crofts also stabbing an effort wide after a defensive lapse.

Simeon Jackson had a couple of wayward strikes from distance before Everton's lead was doubled in the 38th minute.

Beckford broke down the right and fed Cahill, who passed to Arteta and made a beeline for the six yard box, intercepting an attempted chest pass back to Ruddy and nodding in at the second attempt.

Tim Cahill celebrates his second goal with Mikel Arteta

Pienaar freed himself with a delicate touch before half time but the subsequent volley was screwed wide, with Gueye sending in a free kick moments later that Ruddy comfortable fielded.

David Moyes handed Joseph Yobo the second 45 minutes of action, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov also entering the fray after the break.

But no Everton player could prevent Crofts heading home inside a minute of the second period.

Bilyaletdinov had a wild effort soon afterwards and then Hoolahan and David Fox sent long-rangers over the bar.

Norwich equalised in the 58th minute when Surman cut in from the left, wrongfooted Yobo and planted a shot into the corner.

Steven Pienaar battles with Adam Drury

The response from the Toffees was instant though as Pienaar backheeled the ball to Bilyaletdinov and Russian delightfully sidefooted the ball home.

Soon Saha was on alongside Beckford but the day belonged to Cahill as he adroitly completed his 'perfect' hat-trick on 71 minutes, juggling with the ball inside the six-yard box and lifting it cleverly over Ruddy before lashing home from point blank range.

Jack Rodwell and James Vaughan were on for the last portion of the game and there was still time for Howard to showcase his ability by denying Hoolahan when one-on-one.

Rodwell went close on a couple of occasions late on but victory was already assured.