Europa League Player Ratings: Everton 0-2 Benfica

EVERTON

Tim Howard - 8 - Made two excellent saves to deny Saviola in the first half, another from Di Maria in the second, and his handling was very good in difficult conditions.

Tony Hibbert - 5 - Struggled against the lively Di Maria, and his distribution was poor. As honest as the day is long, but out of his depth against class opposition.

Sylvain Distin - 5 - Cardozo is a tough customer, and he rattled Distin a few times with his aerial strength, leading to some poor defending from the Frenchman. Also missed Everton's best chance late on.

Joseph Yobo - 5 - Mopped up fairly well, but his positioning from crosses was not great and Cardozo was very much on top in the aerial duel.

Leighton Baines - 6 - Very neat and tidy on the ball, as ever, but failed to stop a torrent of quality crosses from his flank, though at times he was doubled up on.

Jack Rodwell - 7 - This lad looks a great prospect, tackles well, passes well and looks like he has a hammer in his right foot. Made a few mistakes, but was always demanding the ball and getting the crowd going with his strong challenges.

Marouane Fellaini - 4 - Took up some useful positions off Yakubu, but his quality was awful. Careless passing cost his side on numerous occasions and he was a passenger as the pace of the game picked up.

Dan Gosling - 5 - Looked nervous from the first minute, and as a result made the wrong decision in possession too often. The crowd were audibly frustrated with the youngster, which did not help matters. Was withdrawn 20 minutes from the end after a chastening evening.

Tim Cahill - 5 - Had one sniff of goal in the first half, but on the whole was very ineffective. Needs to be in the box to have an impact, and he was unable to get in there often enough

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov - 7 - Another who looks a class act. His left-footed crossing was exemplary, and he kept possession for his side well.

Yakubu - 5 - Still looks a way short of full fitness, but made space for himself well. Was booked for an ugly challenge early on and faded from the game as Benfica took control.

SUBSTITUTES

Jo - 6 - Brought on as Everton chased the game, but was starved of the ball.

BENFICA

Julio Cesar - 7 - Not tested stringently, but handled well and his kicking was good. One fine save from Distin late on.

Ruben Amorim - 7 - Got forward well from full-back and his crossing from deep was good. Moved into midfield in the second half and continued his tidy display.

Sidnei - 7 - Defended well in the air against Fellaini, and helped his side boss the game in the second half.

Luisao - 7 - Was up against a tricky opponent in Yakubu, but recovered from a slow start to get tight and snuff out any danger pretty comfortably.

David Luiz - 7 - Won his battle with Gosling and got the ball to Di Maria with little fuss, though was up against a novice in Gosling.

Fabio Coentrao - 6 - Crossing was good but overall he contributed little. Was replaced by Aimar on the hour.

Ramires - 6 - Was given license to get forward, and showed real energy to get up and down, before being forced off with a groin injury before half-time.

Javi Garcia - 8 - The anchorman in the Benfica midfield. Saw plenty of the ball and was often the launchpad for his side's attacks with his calming presence and neat passing.

Angel Di Maria - 8 - He riled the Goodison crowd with some second-half theatrics, missed the best chance of the match, but grew in importance as Everton tired, and it was his counterattacking pace which created Saviola's goal.

Javier Saviola - 9 - Worked off Cardozo intelligently, taking up some very good positions. Twice tested Howard and was the Portuguese side's main threat, proving as much by steering in a classy left-foot strike to open the scoring.

Oscar Cardozo - 8 - The big Paraguayan dominated Distin and Yobo aerially and was a constant threat. Hit the post with a header and produced the pass of the match to release Di Maria, before sealing Benfica's win with a beautifully placed volley.

SUBSTITUTES

Pablo Aimar - 7 - Given half an hour, the little magician's close control baffled Everton's hapless defense, and enabled Benfica to completely dominate the final stages.

Maxi Pereira - 7 - Introduced for Ramires before half-time and slotted in at right-back with no real trouble.