Everton 0-2 Benfica: Second Half Double Sinks Toffees

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Europa League: Javier Saviola, Everton v Benfica (Getty Images)

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Everton fell to a second successive Europa League defeat at the hands of Benfica following second half goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo at Goodison Park.

With no end in sight to an injury crisis that has left David Moyes with a threadbare squad and having been dealt their heaviest defeat in continental competition by tonight’s opponents in the reverse fixture two weeks ago, this tie was always set be a thorough examination of Moyes’ inexperienced squad.   

But ever since taking over some seven seasons ago, Moyes has instilled a dogged determination in his troops that has seen a team put together on a shoestring budget consistently challenge for honours and, despite that defeat, victory tonight would have put them within touching distance of qualification for the second group stage of the Europa League.

With that in mind, Everton started with real intent and had the first chance of note, but, having made a decent interception and shimmied past Luisao, Marouane Fellaini could muster only a weak left footed drive that Julio Cesar was equal to.

But Benfica offer a potent attacking threat and quickly broke to forge their own opening - Javier Saviola capitalising on some hesitant Everton defending to latch onto an Oscar Cardozo headed flick-on to thunder an effort straight at Tim Howard from an incredibly tight angle.

Having settled, Everton’s more robust style of play brought large of swathes of possession but just as the Toffees looked to assert more influence on the game, last month’s tormentor-in-chief¸ Angel di Maria, fired a fierce effort arrowing towards the top corner that Howard scrambled away.

Although Benfica’s forays forward were more sporadic than their hosts, when they did come, they were at pace and carried threat. Yet the Portuguese side looked suspect at set plays.

And had it not been for a well placed Benfica defender, Everton would have surely taken the lead following a Diniyar Bilyaletdinov free-kick that Leighton Baines reacted quickest to and volleyed goalwards, only to see it blocked. Jack Rodwell could do no better with the rebound, which he skewed wide.

Growing in confidence, Bilyaletdinov was the architect again as Tim Cahill rose highest to head straight at Cesar.

Having just about edged the first half and contained a lucid Benfica side for much of it, Everton almost conceded on the stroke of half time had it not been for the post and a great Tim Howard save – the American beating away a close range Saviola volley after a Cardozo header had struck the base of the post.

Having conceded three of five goals in the opening six minutes of the second half in the reverse fixture, it was understandable - if a little frustrating for the home faithful – that Everton began the second period cautiously.

But a cautious approach can often invite pressure – and Everton’s deep back line afforded Saviola and Javi Garcia time and space to exchange passes and fashion an opening that Garcia struck wildly over.

A change of defensive tact brought little relief for a now over worked Everton backline, with a perfectly weighted Cardozo through ball putting Di Maria in a one-on-one situation with Howard. The American stayed tall and the Argentinean fired over.

The Argentinean was becoming increasingly influential and Howard had to be at his best to push a whistling effort over the bar.

But he could do nothing moments later when Di Maria fed fellow Argentinean Saviola to fire left footed effort into the bottom corner.

Having taken the lead, the Portuguese side stretched the game and drew any sting out of the Toffees pressing game. And with very little options on the bench, Everton boss David Moyes turned to on loan signing Jo, but he struggled to make any sort of impact.

Running out of ideas and only looking likely to draw level from a set-piece situation, Everton began to look a tired, beaten team. And when the ball fell to the impressive Cardoza - following another quick break – the Paraguayan sealed all three points with a controlled left footed volley.

Credit to the home side, they continued to toil and Sylvain Distin could have made it a pulsating finish had he managed to beat Cesar from close range following another corner, but it wasn’t to be.

Marcus Foley