STEVE ROUND believes Carling Cup holders Birmingham City gave Everton the ideal workout at the weekend.

Everton continued their promising pre-season with a 2-1 victory over the npower Championship side at St Andrew’s on Saturday.

However, the Goodison outfit had to withstand heavy pressure during the first half before two goals in five second-half minutes from Leighton Baines and Louis Saha sent the visitors on their way to a third win in four warm-up games.

And assistant manager Round said: “It was a tough first half and I thought we looked a little bit lethargic coming off the back of a hard week's training and a tour in the US which maybe left a little bit in the legs.

“But once we got through that I thought we controlled the second half and ran out deserved winners.

“I thought first half they caused us a few problems, they looked bright and lively and had some good movement.

“It was a great game for our defenders and for Tim Howard because if you control the game for 90 minutes you never get worked and we know in the first game against Spurs we are going to get worked.”

Perhaps the only negative for Everton was Adam Rooney’s late consolation strike, which means David Moyes’s side have yet to keep a clean sheet this pre-season.

They continue their preparations with a clash against Werder Bremen in Germany where Round is hopeful of addressing that shortcoming.