Everton v Sydney FC

Everton secured victory in their first pre-season game in Australia, with Tim Cahill taking centre stage in the 1-0 win over Sydney FC.

The 40,000 fans inside the ANZ Stadium had to wait to see their hero and he was greeted with a tremendous reception when he entered the fray at half time.

And just a minute later Victor Anichebe scored the only goal of the game with a well-taken effort after an excellent spin in the box.

Earlier, Sydney forged the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Alex Brosque picked up on a bad Leighton Baines pass and rifled a shot straight at Iain Turner.

Victor Anichebe celebrates scoring the first goal against Sydney FC with new team mate Magaye Gueye

But only a minute later Everton hit back as James Vaughan picked up on an excellent ball from Leon Osman and tested Ivan Necevski with a low effort.

Brendan Gan was wild 13 minutes in but Everton were seizing a modicum of control and Baines cut infield superbly but could only shoot tamely at goal with his right foot.

Soon Jack Rodwell burst down the right, cut infield himself and curled a better effort just wide with his left foot.

Just after the half hour Alex Brosque lashed a left foot volley at goal for the home side but Turner was more than equal to it.

Tim Cahill battles against Sydney FC's Brendan Gan

In the 34th minute, and as a sign of what was to come, Baines found Anichebe with his back to goal and the big Nigerian spun well and powered a shot that Necevski repelled with his legs.

Cahill entered the fray at half time, accepting the captain's armband in his hometown to rapturous applause.

Magaye Gueye also came on, getting a first taste of Everton action in place of Rodwell.

It took just a minute for the Bluies (playing in pink!) to take the lead, Anichebe accepting another pass from Baines and spinning expertly before lashing the ball into the roof of the net.

James Vaughan fires in an effort

Shannon Cole lashed a long range free kick off target and Brosque chipped an effort overas Sydney looked to reply, before Jose Baxter replaced Diniyar Bilyaletdinov in the 64th minute.

The teenager soon slashed a long ranger over and then Louis Saha was on for goalscorer Anichebe.

Mikel Arteta went close after a great passing move with 15 minutes to go, and then the impressive Gueye fired over before time expired.