Europa League? No Problem

By Taylor Fisher | 18th September 2009

Europa League? No Problem | read this item

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everton-win-in-europa-league Everton have started off quite slow in the Premier League, but apparently the Europa League is a whole different ballgame. Steven Pienaar and the rest of the squad kicked off their Europa League campaign with an opening match against AEK. One would think that Everton might get off to a slow start given the immense pressure of being in such a prestigious tournament, but I guess they missed that memo.

The Toffees came out firing early and often in front of the Goodison Park faithful. The result? Two goals in the first fifteen minutes. Joseph Yobo and Sylvain Distin were the providers of the early and comfortable lead. Yobo’s goal came off a corner from the right side that found his head at the back post. One-nil Everton. Seven minutes later Distin’s foot was free at the back post where a corner from the left side was placed. Two-nil Everton.

Two goals was not enough for Everton, however. Twenty minutes later Steven Pienaar was carrying the ball twenty-five yards away from goal. At that point, he unleashed a shot that seemed to rocket off his foot and travel about a foot off the ground the entire way to the goal. There was nothing the keeper could do. His diving attempt to make the save was futile. The ball flew inside the right post. Three-nil Everton. That was it for the first half scoring, but Everton still had more left in the tank.

The second half got ugly, though. AEK was upset with their terrible performance, so the second half was very phsyical. Eventually, AEK defender Carlos Araujo was sent off for catching Distin with his boot. The man disadvantage would prove costly for the Greeks. In the 82nd minute Jo received a ball in the box from Louis Saha. Jo immediately turned and fired a left footed shot across the goal into the back right corner. Four-nil Everton.

As the match was winding down, Saha ended up receiving a red card as well for violent conduct. We can only hope that it doesn’t prove costly to Everton as they continue their quest to move out of the Europa League group stage.

How far do you think Everton can advance in the Europa League? Have your say in the forum!