Everton back In Europe with a bang

Everton sealed their first taste of European football in four years with a solid 4-1 win over Wolfsburg in their Group H Europa League encounter.

An own goal from Wolfsburg’s Diego Benaglio got the ball rolling before strikes from Sheamus Coleman and the impressive Leighton Baines either side of half-time made the game safe before a late Kevin Mirallas goal rounded off an impressive result. Ricardo Rodriguez made amends for his earlier mistake by grabbing a deserved consolation with the last kick of the game from a 30-yard free kick.

Everton had come into the game unchanged from their weekend victory at West Bromwich Albion with manager Roberto Martinez determined to make sure his side test themselves against the best the Europa League had to offer.

After a scrappy opening it was Everton who took the lead with some great football after 15 minutes. McCarthy, Naismith and Baines all combined cleverly before Baines squared to Naismith who’s shot found its way into the net via deflections off Benaglio and Rodriguez, with the latter being credited with the own goal.

With Goodison park in fine voice the hosts almost grabbed a second moments later only for Lukaku to lose his footing at the final moment.
Wolfsburg, who have yet to win in the Bundesliga this season, looked ragged but managed to retain lots of possession in the blues half without really creating anything.

McGeady went close for Everton after a neat one-two gave him a sight of goal which was snatched from him by a block from Knoche.

The home side seemed to be happy to let their opponents have possession before stinging them on the counter attack. But just as Wolfsburg looked content to take the goal deficit to half time, Everton struck a crucial blow.

A misplaced pass from Knocke allowed Mirallas to shoot straight at Benaglio whose weak punch away fell to Baines who crossed for Coleman to guide the ball home with his head from 5-yards.

Whatever was spoken by Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking at half-time certainly had not effect on his players as the unfortunate Knocke misjudged a simple pass before bringing down McGeady. Despite the incident seeming to have taken place outside the box, the referee gave the penalty that Leighton Baines drilled home, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Wolfsburg seemed to wake up to the fact they could be on for a hiding in their first European experience since being knocked out of the competition by English side Fulham in 2010.

They controlled possession and peppered the Everton goal with efforts that were repelled by ‘keeper Tim Howard, who’s countless saves, although not as dramatic, reflected his fine performance for the United States at this year’s World Cup.

The big American was called into action just before the hour mark when the impressive Ricardo Rodriguez curled a wonderful 30-yard free-kick which Howard, at full stretch, turned around the post.

The home side seemed content on trying to hit the opponents on the counter attack, with former Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne allowed time and space to send several shots goal wards, only for them to be beaten away by Howard.

Wolfsburg’s Arnold and substitute Nicklas Bendtner both had efforts repelled whilst McGeady curled over for Everton on a rare second half attack.

With the German side continuing to try and find a way back, Everton rounded off their goal scoring when substitute Samuel Etoo played in Kevin Mirallas who, with time and space, slotted the ball home at the near post in the 89th minute.

Wolfsburg did get the goal the goal their second half performance deserved when Ricardo Rodriguez curled home a wonderful 30-yard free-kick which clipped the post on its way in, leaving Howard with no chance.

Despite conceding with the last kick of the game, Everton will hope that this performance is the catalyst for a successful European campaign.


Posted

in

, , ,

by