For one, it was a baking hot July afternoon and not a freezing cold February night and, two, I didn't spend the whole match trying to think of ways that I could make it up to the missus as I'd gone to see the Blues, and not her, on Valentine's Day!
But anyway, on to the match.
Everton started with an experienced 11 as Weir and Stubbs played at the back in the absence of Joleon Lescott who had gone down with a virus and not a knackered knee as many were frantically suggesting!
The only unfamiliar face in the team was that of John Irving who filled in at right back and looked impressive as he made his, sort of, senior debut.
McFadden and Beattie took their places up front and it was left to van der Meyde to fill in the playmaker role in midfield.
And it was a role he relished…as opposed to a roll he relished, which he appears to do quite often judging by his waistline!
In all seriousness though, our flying Dutchman was on top form as he jinked and tricked his way past the Vale defenders all afternoon and played some of those killer passes that he showed glimpses of last season.
Obviously, it would be daft to start talking him up too much as this was nothing more than a pre-season stroll, but it was difficult not to get carried away with his display.
Having said that, when the season does start, he won't anywhere near as much time and space on the ball and won't have as many opportunities to show off his full repertoire of tricks.
Everton started well and were looking threatening down the right when a header from James Beattie was cleared. Simon Davies pounced on the loose ball a smashed an ambitious volley straight at Mark Goodlad in the Port Vale goal.
Andy van der Meyde then played Kevin Kilbane through but our midfield maestro was caught in about seven minds and his shot/cross/miskick drifted well wide of the goal.
Kilbane also had another chance to open the scoring but he headed over after James McFadden had an effort bounce back off the Vale crossbar.
Just prior to that, Port Vale's Leon Constantine almost broke the deadlock but his long range effort crashed off the Everton crossbar and both teams went in goalless.
Port Vale then started the brighter of the two teams and Richard Wright had to be alert just after the re-start to save from Vale's Danny Whittaker.
But it was Everton who took the lead on 55 minutes.
The Vale defence managed to clear an Everton corner but it fell to Alan Stubbs whose shot ballooned up off a defender and eventually onto the head of David Weir who nodded the ball to McFadden for him to net from close range.
Everton then doubled the lead 10 minutes later as Kevin Kilbane, played in by Beattie, rode a couple of challenges before slotting comfortably into the corner of the net.
Vale nearly pulled on back with 20 minutes to go but a headed effort hit Wright's crossbar.
I t was a decent work out for the Blues and it was encouraging to see Andy van der Meyde showing some nice touches and, more importantly, lasting the full 90 minutes.
It's Deepdale next on Wednesday and it'll be interesting to see who Moysie picks for that one given the positive displays from both of Saturday's teams.
It'll also be interesting to see what kit we opt for as we now have the same kit in blue, white and, according to the official site, mustard…not too keen on that one though!
I'll get me coat!