McKay expected his team-mates would be sharper come August 8, but was still pleased with their output on the weekend.

"There's a bit of improvement we need to make, but we were playing against an EPL side," McKay said.

"To get close to them on the scoreboard is encouraging for us, but we've still got work to do.

"That wasn't the best we've played...we can improve in the front third and our movement can be a tiny bit better."

Everton captain Phil Neville described the clash as the toughest of his side's three-game tour, which also netted respective 1-0 and 2-0 wins over Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart.

"The system that they played made it very difficult in the first half," Neville said.

"I think our quality showed in the end, but it was played in a real football stadium, on a nice football pitch."

"Out of the three games, this has probably been the best spectacle for the supporters to watch."