For the first time since his involvement at the Gold Cup, custodian Tim Howard joined up with the Everton squad prior to kick-off. The American stopper signed autographs for both sets of fans at the RFK Stadium, although he didn't play any part in the game as he had just returned from extended leave. That meant that Slovakian Jan Mucha was between the sticks for the third game running.
Seamus Coleman again took up the right full-back slot, with captain Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines making up a full-strength back four. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov started on the left, with Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell in central midfield. Evertonians were also treated to another glimpse of teenager Ross Barkley who was stationed on the right.
Victor Anichebe partnered Apostolos Vellios in attack, which meant that the substitutes bench comprised of John Heitinga, Phil Neville, Leon Osman, Conor McAleny, Jermaine Beckford, Magaye Gueye and young goalkeeper Adam Davies.
In sweltering conditions across the pond, Everton started the game brightly and were ahead inside four minutes. Leighton Baines played the ball into the left hand channel where Victor Anichebe collected the pass and finished well from an acute angle.
D.C. United had a couple of opportunities, the best of which was a long range effort from skipper Josh Wolff (who possesses quite possibly the most American name ever). Everton, though, doubled the advantage on 16 minutes in exquisite fashion.
Vellios, Rodwell and Barkley combined before the later played a killer pass that left Bilyaletdinov through on goal with only the 'keeper to beat. The Russian did the rest, slotting the ball home with aplomb.
Anichebe, Barkley and Coleman all went close before the half was over whilst at the other end DC threatened with a couple of set-plays. Indeed, the performance of young Ross Barkley was something to savour, a tantalizing glimpse of the player that has been touted as the best player at Everton since a certain Wayne Rooney.
Without wishing to place too much pressure on young shoulders, if last night's performance was anything to go by then we have a real talent on our hands. There was one instance where he jinked past four or five defenders before playing a defence-splitting pass to Coleman. He clearly has exceptional talent, but we must not build him up Michael Branch style.
At the interval Osman and Gueye replaced Barkley and Vellios, and just a minute into the restart DC had halved the deficit. A long ball was played down the centre of the pitch and was poorly defended. Jagielka allowed Chris Pontius to get goalside, and the DC player drilled the ball past Mucha.
Despite the setback, Everton continued to have the better of the chances. You would have put your house on Tim Cahill to score with a free header from six yards out, but his effort went narrowly wide. Bilyaletdinov's shot scraped the crossbar after a short corner routine, and Rodwell sent a shot over the bar when he may have been better advised to slip in substitute Jermaine Beckford.
Seamus Coleman almost scored a brilliant own goal, but fortunately for him his touch diverted the ball onto the woodwork and not into the net. At the other end, Everton made it three on 83 minutes when two substitutes combined.
Magaye Gueye fed Jermaine Beckford on the left-hand side, with Beckford chipping a great cross to the far post where Gueye had the simple task of tapping home. The goal made it 3-1 and that was how it finished.
StickyToffee Player Ratings: Mucha 7, Coleman 6, Jagielka 5, Distin 6, Baines 7, Bilyaletdinov 7, Barkley 8, Rodwell 6, Cahill 6, Anichebe 7, Vellios 5.
Subs: Osman 5, Gueye 6, McAleny 5, Neville 5, Heitinga 5, Beckford 6.
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