In a fairly open match the Sky Blues manufactured just as many chances as Everton with striker Alex Brosque going close on a number of occasions.

The Socceroo striker was also involved in the most contentious incident in the match 13 minutes from time when he appeared to be tripped in the box by Toffees defender Phil Jagielka, only for referee Strebre Delovski to wave play on.

"I've had a few given this season that we're a bit less contact than that," Brosque said of the penalty appeal.

"I thought being a home referee he might have given the crowd something to cheer about but it wasn't to be."

"From our point of view we're very happy that we played the ball around well, we moved it confidently and we had some chances as well."

"On a different night we probably could have grabbed some goals."

"I thought we played well tonight but we were playing against the champions of Australia and it was a tough game for us," said Everton boss David Moyes.

"They weren't overawed by the game and took the game to us which was probably a little bit of a surprise."

"Tim (Cahill) said to us Sydney would be strong and hard to beat and it proved to be that way."

"I thought it was a good game for us, just what we needed."

"Sydney tried to play good football as well. I don't know all the A-League but for our first pre-season game we played well so that gives you an idea where Sydney is at. They did fine tonight."