Two in a row as Everton beat Melbourne Heart

English Premier League club Everton made it two wins in a row on their Australian tour when they beat A League newcomers Melbourne Heart 2-0 here on Wednesday.

Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha scored for the visitors against the new club, who did at least manage to string together some good passages against clearly superior opponents.

The Heart were playing only their fourth game together and, apart from former Wigan player Josip Skoko’s long-range effort in the first half and Eli Babalj’s volley in the second, they lacked the finishing needed at this level.

Rodwell had given the visitors the lead when he knocked in a Seamus Coleman cross in the 34th minute, before Saha showed the home side how it should be done as he finished beautifully on his left foot on the hour.

Saha’s strike made amends for his penalty miss in the opening few minutes.

Referee Matthew Breeze awarded Everton a spot kick for Rutger Worm’s challenge on Coleman, but Saha put the shot wide of the net.

Everton’s win was the second on their pre-season tour of Australia, following last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC.

Socceroos star Tim Cahill spent the first half on the bench for Everton and had little impact when brought on at half-time.

Everton manager David Moyes handed debuts to Jermaine Beckford and Joao Silva.

Ex-Leeds man Beckford almost made it the perfect start when he turned and fired at goal with his first touch only for the shot to sail just wide.

Everton finish their three-match tour against the Brisbane Roar in Brisbane on Saturday.