Preston v Everton

Jermaine Beckford gave Evertonians a first glimpse of his goalscoring credentials as the Blues romped to an impressive victory over Preston at Deepdale.

David Moyes' men maintained their 100 per cent pre-season record with a fully deserved 3-0 victory over Darren Ferguson's Championship side - just days after Preston defeated a strong Blackburn side by the same margin.

Beckford was the star of the show, scoring the first and the third goals of the game to sandwich a typically impressive finish from Louis Saha.

The former Leeds man set the Toffees on their way in the 56th minute having entered the fray as a half-time replacement for the returning Mikel Arteta. His cool finish after being played through for a one-on-one was in contrast to his ferocious second - a volley from eight yards after the neatest of tee-ups from Saha.

The Frenchman was on fine form all day, that pass and his crisp second goal providing the artistic flourishes to a performance of guile and quality.

And that display from King Louis perfectly typified the overall quality of Everton's performance against a robust and competitive Preston outfit.

That physical edge took its toll on Beckford, who had to be withdrawn three minutes from the end after a full-blooded challenge.

Indeed, the Blues had to earn their right to play, with the home side having the best of the opening five minutes. Phil Jagielka was called upon to produce a double block seven minutes in to deny Adam Barton after some sloppy defending allowed the home side to exert some pressure on the Everton goal.

By way of response, a low drive from Saha forced Andy Lonergan into a smart stop low to his right. The Frenchman looked in sharp mood - as a volley narrowly wide from a Mikel Arteta corner in the 11th minute served to illustrate. A stunning stop from Lonergan on 25 minutes again denied Saha in his one-man mission to open the scoring.

As the first half entered its final stages Jack Rodwell and Arteta muscled in on the shooting action but couldn't produce efforts on target to really test Lonergan.

It was appropriate that it was the French hitman who went closest - driving a left-foot effort against the foot of the post after great build-up from minutes before the interval.

Barton, the man closest for North End in the opening period, fired over shortly after the restart.

By that stage Arteta, only just back from honeymoon, had been withdrawn and replaced by Beckford - allowing Magaye Gueye to move into a more conventional left midfield position.

Seamus Coleman, one of the best performers Down Under, was introduced in place of Leighton Baines - with Tony Hibbert switching to the left-back slot.

It was the first of the subs who made the most immediate impact - Beckford calmly slotting under Lonergan after a Jagielka headed through ball sent the new-boy goalwards.

Eager to match his strike partner, Saha got the goal his efforts merited in the 67th minute. It was a classy strike from a classy player, the Frenchman immaculately controlling a driven pass from Phil Neville with his left foot before unleashing a low right-foot effort from 18 yards that gave Lonergan no chance.

Three minutes later and the two goalscorers combined to clinical effect - Saha producing a tantalising chip for Beckford to smash home with a fierce volley from eight yards.

It was Saha's last input in the game - replaced by James Vaughan for the final quarter. Gueye was also withdrawn after an eye-catching display - Jose Baxter coming on in his place less than 24 hours after netting the winner for the reserves at Forfar.

As the Blues went for the jugular, Coleman cut in from the right and unleashed a curling left-foot effort that beat Lonergan but clipped the outside of the far upright.

In the latter stages, the strong contingent of travelling Evertonians were given the opportunity to get their first glimpse of Joao Silva. Unfortunately, the Portuguese forward was called upon to replace the injured Beckford.