IT WAS perhaps fitting that, at the end of a week which saw severe weather warnings spread across America, Everton FC should save their hottest performance until last.
Barack Obama may have been feeling the heat in the White House a couple of miles up the road, but David Moyes' men kept cool in Washington, to ensure that their US tour ended on a high note.
With temperatures tipping the mercury at close to 110 degrees – even as darkness descended upon the American capital – first-half goals from Victor Anichebe and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and a second-half cake-topper from Magaye Gueye, gave the Blues a deserved 3-1 win over DC United at the RFK Stadium, at the end of a week which will have done wonders as they prepare for the start of the Premier League campaign next month.
The manner in which Everton's goals – all neatly worked and clinically finished – pleased Moyes especially, but their composure, discipline, and stamina in intense conditions will have impressed most. He is a manager who enjoys putting his players through the ringer, and he will be quietly satisfied with the results from this tour.
With Mikel Arteta joining Marouane Fellaini on the sidelines – both men's fitness will be properly assessed by the Blues' medical staff upon their return to Merseyside, amid fears they could miss the start of the new campaign – there were starts in midfield for youngsters Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley, whilst Victor Anichebe shrugged off his own training ground injury to partner teenager Apostolos Vellios in attack.
Skipper Phil Neville was rested, along with Magaye Gueye, Jermaine Beckford and John Heitinga – all of whom started Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union.
DC, the most successful side in MLS history, started in sprightly fashion, carving out the first chance of the game inside a minute as Chris Korb's clipped pass released Andy Najar from midfield, but he was unable to get real purchase on his lob over Jan Mucha, and Sylvain Distin was back in time to mop up the danger.
It stirred the Blues into an immediate riposte, and a telling one too, as they were ahead inside four minutes. Leighton Baines was the provider, steering an astute pass down the inside-left channel for Anichebe, who produced an assured side-foot finish past Bill Hamid from a prohibitive angle.
Seamus Coleman might have added another just moments later, but declined the chance to shoot on his left foot when in oceans of space, and found himself crowded out after a heavy touch.
