Everton's second pre-season friendly took place amidst continuing rumours that Man City were determined to pry Joleon Lescott from the very firm grasp of David Moyes, who selected his prized Championship discovery as a centre-back for this game.  Tim Cahill was also in the starting line-up, having returned from Australia and a summer of unrelenting ad publicity.

There weren't many of the Reserves listed on a sparse subs bench — as a consequence of Everton Reserves playing their first pre-season fixture Against Airbus UK at the same time. 

A tackle from behind on the Brazilian gave the Blues a chance with an early free-kick on the edge of the box. Leighton Baines set-up Louis Saha for a strike but the Frenchman drilled it wide.  A poor clearance from Rochdale goalkeeper Kenny Arthur allowed Cahill space to shoot from midfield, but his strike took a hefty deflection and handed Everton a corner. And it was defender Shane Duffy who opened the scoring from the piece — the Irish international found room to tap home by the near post to give the visitors the lead in the 7th minute.

The goalscorer then handed the hosts a chance giving away a free-kick, but Iain Turner punched clear with confidence to deny the hosts an equaliser. Jason Kennedy had the host's first realistic chance on the follow up, but fired wide of the net. As a physical bout of play ensued, an Everton free-kick after 24 minutes allowed Baines to float in the perfect cross. His delivery fell to Rochdale's Craig Dawson — who fired with strong misdirected force into his own net — stunning his team mates to put the Blues two-up.

Moments later, Marouane Fellaini was penalised for a dubious tackle right on the edge of the box.  The referee pointed straight to the spot, with Rochdale's Chris Dagnall sending Turner the wrong way pulling one back for the hosts on the half-hour.

A commanding performance from Cahill in midfield provided a golden opportunity for Jo to take advantage. The Australian's neat pass travelled straight into the striker's path to pace through on goal with a perfect finish. His hard strike going in off the far post; the Rochdale defence could only watch from behind.

David Moyes opted to make no changes to his side at half-time, and Turner was forced into action frequently as Rochdale looked to reduce the defecit quickly. A finger-tip save from the Scot denied the hosts a second early in the second period.

Cahill, Duffy and Saha left the field on the hour mark, making way for James Vaughan, Jose Baxter and Seamus Coleman. Yet it was the Brazilian who increased Everton's advantage on 78 minutes — the tall Brazilian taking advantage of a poor backpass and some hesitancey that allowed the striker to home on on Arthur, sidestep him and tap past the keeper with ease.

Turner was kept busy in the Everton goalmouth in the closing moments, but Moyes's men held their own to secure their first  pre-season win of the summer before jeting off to North America next week.