Source: Daily_Mail
AEK 0 Everton 1: Bilyaletdinov fires Toffees into last 32 of Europa League
David Moyes may have arrived here feeling a little down on his luck, but victory in a rainswept Olympic Stadium and a glimpse of how bad life at a football club can be will, hopefully, lighten the Everton manager's mood.[LNB] Doubts that the game would go ahead at all following a day of storms in the Greek capital were replaced by surprise that half the AEK team were reportedly threatening not to play in protest at not being paid for six weeks.[LNB] A case of one lightning strike following another.[LNB] On their way: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov fires Everton's winner in Athens[LNB]Only four of the AEK side beaten 4-0 at Goodison Park in September started last night, with Argentinians Ismael Blanco and Nacho Scocco leading the refuseniks who turned uplate and were made to sit on the bench, only leaving it reluctantly inthe second half. [LNB]Everton took advantage with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's early goal, then held on to secure only a second win in 12 games and guarantee a place in the knockout stages.[LNB] But it was not all good news for Moyes. Already low on numbers, he sawSylvain Distin and Dan Gosling carried off inside the opening 18 minutes, victims of a quite atrocious playing surface.[LNB] With the Barclays Premier League taking precedence over Europe, it gives the Everton boss more problems ahead of Sunday's game against Tottenham at Goodison. [LNB]But this was a timely lesson for Moyes that there is always somebody else worse off. He has been frustrated at his side's lack of progress this season and an absence of good fortune that culminated in last weekend's encouraging but ultimately fruitless performance in the Merseyside derby.[LNB] Moyes said of AEK's team selection: 'It was a little surprising but understandable. The conditions were really difficult. It was like harking back to the old days. I would have enjoyed it but I don't know about some of these players![LNB] Battle: Nacho Scocco competes with Everton's Seamus Coleman[LNB][LNB]'Before the game, I was worried because there was a lot of standingwater. We were desperately looking round for some groundsmen to startforking it but we couldn't find any. I was disappointed by that.[LNB] 'The pitch was playable to start but I was worried when the rain came down again.[LNB] 'The spirit of Everton was apparent, especially among the young players. It shows there is a heartbeat at the football club and I have always known that. I feel the blood is pumping through the veins again. It was important to qualify with a game to spare. The knockout games don't start until the new year when we should have some players back from injury. If that happens we will be a match for most teams. It would be nice to play Liverpool - but in the final. That would be a good one.'[LNB]Even Everton's disappointing annual figures - an overall loss of�6.7million - and futile search for a new stadium pale in comparison toAEK, �30m in debt and without a home since theirs was demolished by anearthquake 10 years ago.[LNB] The club now play at the Olympic Stadium, a magnificent arena built forthe 2004 Games but one with a notoriously bad playing surface. Yesterday's deluge turned the pitch into a bog, with Swiss refereeClaudio Circhetta agreeing to let the game go ahead only as long asthere was no further downpour in the hour before kick-off.[LNB] Everton could have been forgiven for wishing he hadn't, however, asanother heavy shower shortly after kick-off made conditions even worseand contributed to the early departure of their two defenders.[LNB] Celebration time: Everton's players at the final whistle at the Olympic Stadium[LNB]Gosling twisted awkwardly in the 10th minute and he was followed shortly afterwards by Distin, who had been doubtful before the game with a hamstring injury and went down clutching the back of his right leg as he turned to clear.[LNB] Moyes, already without defenders Joseph Yobo, Johnny Heitinga and Lucas Neill through injury and ineligibility, sent on Jose Baxter and Shane Duffy - two youngsters he would probably have hoped not to use and certainly not so early in the game.[LNB] At least he had the comfort of a one-goal lead thanks to Bilyalet-dinov's sixth-minute strike.[LNB] Marouane Fellaini slipped a pass through for the Russian winger, who showed far greater composure in front of goal than he did against Liverpool on Sunday to lift the ball over goalkeeper Sebastian Saja and into the roof of the net.[LNB] There was little else for the 1,500 Everton fans in a two-thirds empty stadium to cheer in a disjointed first half between two makeshift teams, but the second provided more incident as the lead came under increasing threat.[LNB] Jo fired Everton's best chance just wide but, at the other end, Youssouf Hersi shaved a post and Seamus Coleman cleared off the line from Gustavo Manduca before surviving a late penalty appeal for his challenge on Juanfran.[LNB] A slice of luck and, no doubt, one that Moyes feels is long overdue. [LNB] Moyes calms fears after getting vote of confidence from Everton chairman Cahill insists Everton are 'too good' to go down despite latest league defeatEVERTON FC
