EUROPA LEAGUE: Everton 0 Benfica 2:THE HEAVIEST European away defeat in Everton's history followed by their largest home reverse; it is safe to say David Moyes will be glad to wave goodbye to Benfica.
Attempts to amend for their humbling in Portugal brought only fresh soul-searching for Everton, who have much to do to qualify for the knockout phase.
Moyes had promised Benfica a different Everton from the side that slumped 5-0 at the Stadium of Light. There was only two changes to that night in Lisbon but the availability of Leighton Baines and Joseph Yobo meant Moyes did not have to place so many round pegs in square holes.
Benfica were inventive and in the second half Angel Di Maria’s carved open the Everton defence with a series of exchanges with Javier Saviola and the Argentinian converted into the bottom corner. Oscar Cardozo then sealed the victory with a left-footed volley into the same spot.
- Guardian Service
EVERTON:Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Yobo, Distin, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Gosling (Jo 69), Fellaini, Rodwell, Yakubu (Agard 81). Subs not used: Nash, Coleman, Shane Duffy, Wallace, Jo, Agard, Baxter. Yellow cards: Hibbert, Yakubu, Rodwell.
BENFICA:Julio Cesar, Luisao, David Luiz, Sidnei, Ruben Amorim, Javi Garcia, Ramires (Pereira 45), Fabio Coentrao (Aimar 61), Di Maria, Cardozo, Saviola (Felipe Menezes 87). Subs not used: Quim, Shaffer, Pereira, Aimar, Felipe Menezes, Weldon, Nuno Gomes. Yellow cards: Julio Cesar, Saviola.
Referee:Ennjimi.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)