Vaughan ensures Everton remain unbeaten

Uefa Cup Group stages/ AZ Alkmaar 2 Everton 3: Everton were left saluting their bright young brigade last night as they ended AZ's unbeaten home record in Europe stretching back over 32 matches.

James Vaughan (19) stepped off the bench to score the winner in the 80th minute after being set up by Victor Anichebe. It means Everton finished the group stages of the Uefa Cup with a 100 per cent record after four games.

Even though manager David Moyes left a number of senior players at home, they extended their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions.

Everton took the lead after just 63 seconds. Andrew Johnson shook off David Mendes da Silva to score at the near post.

AZ equalised in the 17th minute with a swift counter-attack when Graziano Pelle clipped a shot into the corner. AZ's Ruud Vormer then sent his effort narrowly over the bar in the 32nd minute.

Everton regained the lead two minutes before half-time when Phil Jagielka headed home after Gretar Steinsson had cleared Joleon Lescott's shot off the line. It was the defender's first goal for the club after his move from Sheffield United in the summer.

Moyes' men almost added a third goal in the 51st minute when Lee Carsley headed narrowly over the top.

AZ drew level in the 66th minute when Kew Jaliens was left unmarked when substitute Julian Jenner swung in a corner - and the skipper beat Stefan Wessels at the far post.

But Everton regained the lead and made sure of victory in the 80th minute when Vaughan showed a cool head to send his effort into the corner. A minute later 16-year-old defender Jack Rodwell made his debut, coming on for Thomas Gravesen.

Meanwhile, a Jamie Smith double fired Aberdeen into the last 32. Smith struck a superb 25-yard strike two minutes into the second half and soon ran beyond a static defence to make it two. An own goal by Mikael Antonsson and Richard Foster's strike rounded off a 4-0 victory at Pittodrie.

AZ ALKMAAR: Waterman, Jaliens, Opdam, Pocognoli (Agustien 77), Mendes Da Silva, Cziommer (El Hamdaoui 66), Dembele, De Zeeuw (Jenner 65), Steinsson, Vormer, Pelle. Subs not used: Romero, Koenders, Donk, Medunjanin.

EVERTON: Wessels, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Nuno Valente, Pienaar (Vidarsson 69), Gravesen (Rodwell 80), Carsley, McFadden, Anichebe, Johnson (Vaughan 68). Subs not used: Ruddy, Jutkiewicz, Boyle, Irving. Booked: Hibbert, Wessels.

Referee: Selcuk Dereli(Turkey).