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LONDON: Australian international midfielder Tim Cahill scored a hat-trick as Premier League Everton defeated second-tier Championship newcomers Norwich City 4-2 on Saturday in a pre-season friendly.
Former Everton goalkeeper John Ruddy gifted Cahill a sixth minute opener before the Australian added his second seven minutes before half-time.
But Norwich levelled through Andrew Crofts and Andrew Surman in the second half.
South African star Steven Pienaar set-up Russian Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for Everton's third before Cahill completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes.
"It's pre-season and it wouldn't have made a great deal of difference if we had won or lost, except I want us to get in the habit (of winning)," said Everton manager David Moyes.
"I'm probably more disappointed with our overall performance than in other games but I've worked the players quite hard this week and I knew that there
was always the chance that this would be the game where we would dip a little."
New Fulham boss Mark Hughes watched from the stands as his new side lost 1-0 to Championship team Portsmouth at Fratton Park with Marc Wilson heading in the only goal in the 31st minute.
"I think he is probably not too impressed," said Fulham central defender Brede Hangeland of the watching Hughes.
"We would like to have won but it matters more in a couple of weeks. Fitness is the most important thing - and preparing for when the Premier League starts."
Newcastle, promoted to the Premier League, drew 2-2 draw with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park.
Ola Toivanen and Balazs Dzsudzsak gave PSV a 2-0 lead by half-time before Ryan Taylor and Leon Best ensured the match ended on level terms.
There was a minute's applause before the game to mark the first anniversary since the death of Sir Bobby Robson, who managed both clubs.
Carlton Cole scored the only goal as West Ham claimed a 1-0 victory over second-tier Ipswich.
Leeds, also of the Championship, beat top-flight Wolves 3-1.
Max Gradel gave Leeds the lead at Elland Road with Matt Jarvis equalising for Wolves.
Lloyd Sam and Bradley Johnson then secured victory in the second half.
Fraizer Campbell and Jordan Henderson found the target as Sunderland edged Leicester 2-1 while Stoke saw off Burnley, relegated from the Premier League last season, by the same scoreline. - AFP/fa
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