Melbourne Heart 0 Everton FC 2 - Blues stroll to second pre-season win

While the Blues laboured at times on a scrappy pitch, evidence of the growing strength in depth of this squad was enough to send the Australian Evertonians who braved a rainy, wind-swept evening in this fine city home happy.

Jack Rodwell again suggested this will be the season when he stamps his mark emphatically on the premier league, with a composed and elegant first half display.

Always assured and comfortable in possession, the 19-year-old sealed another strong performance with a close-range goal after fine work by fellow young prospect Seamus Coleman.

The score-line could have been more convincing. The Blues should really have scored three, with Louis Saha wasting a second minute penalty for a foul on Coleman.

But the classy Frenchman atoned for the spot-kick howler with a second half strike from outside the box which nestled comfortably in the top left-hand corner of the net.

As at the weekend against A-League champions Sydney, newly-formed Heart showed plenty of spirit and tenacity, carving out various decent chances which were not converted thanks to poor finishing and another solid display from reserve keeper Iain Turner.

For the majority the game the tempo was typically pre-season, lacking the edge which the Sydney clash benefited from.

At times the Everton manager and his coaching staff, seated alongside the pitch on white plastic chairs resembling garden furniture, could have been forgiven for nodding off.

But denied the cosily twee blankets favoured by benches during the World Cup, there was never much chance of that happening on a decidedly brisk evening.

Once again the tour promoters and Everton officials lent a slice of Goodison Park to this new, roofed stadium near Melbourne's docks.

Like in Sydney, the players ran out to Z-Cars and Grand Old Team signalled time for everyone to pack away their Everton mints and head for the exits.

After a strong all-Everton start, Heart had begun to assert themselves and signal their intent, revealed by Dutch manager John Van 't Schip, to pass it "like Spain".

Indeed former Sheffield Wednesday striker Gerald Sibon should have given Heart the lead when he was played one on one with Iain Turner, only to round the Everton keeper and slide his shot wide.

Bilyaletdinov responded by turning his full back and whipping a low cross into the box which Saha almost connected with.

But Heart proved they can play, even if not quite at the level of Iniesta et al, engineering a few half chances in response; the pick of the bunch when the comically named Rutger Worm back-flicked a sumptuous ball into the path of Sibon.

Melbourne began to look the most likely to open the scoring, with Socceroo Josip Skoko striking a well-executed 20-yard volley at goal which Turner just tipped over.

That scare finally shook Everton from their slumber. Victor Anichebe received the ball on the right flank, burst forward and fed the overlapping Seamus Coleman who did superbly to fire an inch-perfect cross into the box for Rodwell to finish from close range.

With half time approaching Jack Rodwell, who again stood out courtesy of that remarkable poise and elegance, fired a free kick over the bar from 25 yards.

The second period saw skipper Phil Neville return to action for Tony Hibbert, deputising at left back in Leighton Baines absence, and Tim Cahill receiving the usual plaudits after replacing Gueye.

The blues quickly attempted to recreate the move which led to their opener, with Anichebe again feeding the excellent Coleman, but this time the Irishman's cross was too close to Heart keeper Clint Bolton.

Moments later Anichebe was involved again when the powerful forward latched onto a Coleman pass and tested Bolton for a second time in quick succession with a rasping effort.

But with the tempo still decidedly relaxed, Louis Saha rode a tackle on the edge of the area, steadied himself and curled an effort into the top right hand corner.

The effortlessly cool Frenchman might as well have shrugged as he jogged back into position with barely a smile.

With the result seemingly beyond doubt, Heart showed they have plenty of their name-sake by plugging away.

But their inaugural game ended in defeat, thanks to an Everton squad still going through the pre-season gears.

Everything suggests that when they are at full-throttle, those predictions of premier league success are entirely plausible.

STAR MAN: Seamus Coleman was a constant threat and showed his usual energy and fearless spirit.

Everton: (4-3-3) Turner, Hibbert (Neville, 45), Distin (Mustafi, 84), Jagielka, Coleman, Rodwell, Osman (Beckfod, 61), Gueye (Cahill, 45), Bilyaletdinov, (Baxter 73) Anichebe (Jutkiewicz, 73), Saha (Silva, 61).

Subs not used: Baines.

Melbourne Heart: Bolton, Marrone, Colosimo, Beauchamp, Hamill (Taseki 75), Hefferman, Skoko (Kalmar, 45), Terra (Ibrahim, 55), Worm (Babalj 63), Behich (Zahra, 67), Sibon (Hoffman),

Subs not used: Babalj, Zois, Sarkies, Thompson, Srhoj, Tomic,

Coach: John Van't Schip.

Attendance: 19,261

Ref: Matthew Breeze.