Everton has completed a clean sweep of its Australian tour with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brisbane on Saturday night, but the Roar’s bevy of recruits impressed in their first clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Everton has completed a clean sweep of its Australian tour with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brisbane on Saturday night, but the Roar’s bevy of recruits impressed in their first clash at Suncorp Stadium.
After a scoreless opening half, the visitors inched ahead in the 49th minute courtesy of a magnificent curling strike from Jack Rodwell, who chanced his luck from outside the penalty box.
The Toffees dominated possession and tightened their grip on the contest after the goal, with Louis Saha and Leon Osman both unlucky not to score.
That was until ex-Wellington striker Costa Barbarouses brought the crowd of 19,786 to its feet with a goal against the flow of play in the 66th minute.
Barbarouses stunned the EPL outfit with a deft strike from the tightest of angles that somehow deceived Everton goalkeeper Ian Turner before bouncing off the woodwork into the back of the net.
It was the first and only goal the Toffees conceded in their Australian sojourn.
The boisterous home crowd had every right to dream of a shock upset, with new faces Barbarouses, Thomas Broich, Erik Paartalu all looking the goods in the orange strip.
However the mismatch in class eventually proved too much, with Everton substitute Magye Gueye making the most of some lackadaisical defending in the 83rd minute.
Gueye found himself unmarked at the back of the box and pocketed his first goal for the tour after a smart through ball from Jose Baxter.
Roar defender Luke DeVere had a good chance to equalise in the dying stages, but it was not to be for Ange Postecoglou’s men.
Nonetheless, there were plenty of positive signs for the Brisbane coach ahead of his side’s season opener against rivals Gold Coast United on August 8.
The Roar, who have made a host of changes to their list over the off-season were in no way disgraced against Everton.
The introduction of Barbarouses and Mitch Nichols at halftime was especially noteworthy, with the pair adding a spark that was earlier somewhat lacking.
Captain Matt McKay put in a polished performance, new custodian Michael Theoklitos was solid while Brazilian Henrique was lively.
For the visitors, Rodwell and Seamus Coleman continued their impressive tour and delivered quality service for the likes of Saha, who looked like scoring all night long.
However, on the whole Everton were understandably below their best after a busy schedule.
The Toffees will travel straight to Brisbane airport and are due to depart for England at 2.30am on Sunday morning.
Brisbane Roar 1 (Barbarouses 66)
Everton 2 (Rodwell 49, Gueye 83)
