Anichebe gets Everton up and running Down Under

Victor Anichebe ensured Everton kicked-off their first pre-season tour of Australia since 1987 with victory over A-League Champions Sydney FC.

The Toffees were last Down Under as English Division One champions 23 years ago, but while title-winning days are now a distant memory for the cash-strapped Merseysiders, David Moyes’ 2010 vintage are proving just as efficient at grinding out backs-to-the-wall wins.

Nigeria striker Anichebe scored the only goal a minute into the second half with a well-taken finish after spinning in the penalty area.

Everton skipper Phil Neville, who missed the game with a knee injury, believes the win has given them momentum to achieve a clean sweep in Australia.

Next up are new A-League franchise Melbourne Heart on Wednesday, and the tour concludes against Brisbane Roar next Saturday.

“The first game of the ­pre-season is normally used as a fitness exercise, but because of the magnitude of this game, the manager wanted us to win,” said Neville.

“He’s given us that edge and the pressure to put on ourselves that we need to win the other two games as well, because of our pride in the club. We want to put on a good show for the fans.”

Sporting their new change strip of lightning pink for the first time, Everton showed some nice touches, but Sydney offered stubborn resistance for long periods in front of 40,446 fans at the ANZ stadium.

Everton’s captain for the night Mikel Arteta orchestrated the midfield, while Leon Osman, left back Leighton Baines and Anichebe all impressed.

Everton’s new French signing Magaye Gueye also came on, getting a first taste of action in place of Jack Rodwell, but former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford missed out.

Sydney might easily have upstaged their big-name opponents if their finishing had matched their neat passing.

Lively striker Alex Brosque went close on a number of occasions – the pick a second-half chip smartly saved by Everton reserve goalkeeper Iain Turner.

Brosque also had a 78th-minute claim for a penalty waved away by referee Strebre Delovski.

Everton’s Australian midfield star Tim Cahill, back from World Cup duty, played in the second half and overshadowed former Aston Villa and Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, who came out of retirement to make his farewell appearance for Sydney.

But the star attraction was undoubtedly Cahill, who Everton coach David Moyes believes is the perfect role model for the rest of his team-mates.

“Tim is not just a player,” Moyes said. “For me, it’s the man, the person. Since he came to us from Millwall [in 2004], he has been great for Everton and great for me.”