Source: SKY_Sports
Athens toppled by Toffees
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Everton put their domestic struggles aside to crush AEK Athens 4-0 at Goodison Park in their opening Europa League group game.[LNB] The Toffees may be languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League but they seem determined to enjoy a long European run following a convincing victory over their Greek opponents.[LNB]Joseph Yobo headed Everton in front on 10 minutes before Sylvain Distin grabbed his first goal for the club seven minutes later following a scramble in the six-yard box.[LNB]Steven Pienaar made it 3-0 with a fine strike before half-time and Everton continued to carve out opportunities at will after Carlos Araujo was dismissed for the visitors before Jo added a late fourth.[LNB]However, the night ended on a sour note when Louis Saha was sent off after lashing out with his arm at Juanfran in stoppage time.[LNB]Bright startAEK were on the back foot after only seven minutes when Pienaar tried to release Jo, only for Sanel Jahic to make a timely interception.[LNB]It was a taste of what was to come as Pienaar came within inches of putting Everton ahead two minutes later with a fierce shot.[LNB]Goalkeeper Sebastian Saja parried his effort around the post. Russian newcomer Diniyar Bilyaletdinov delivered the corner and Yobo peeled away from his marker to open the scoring.[LNB]Everton went 2-0 ahead in the 17th minute and it was another corner from Bilyaletdinov that led to the goal.[LNB]The Greek side failed to deal with it and Marouane Fellaini was the first to react in a crowded area.[LNB]Even though he failed to get a decent touch, AEK were all at sea and the ball broke to Distin, who made no mistake from close range.[LNB]Jo came close to extending Everton's lead in the 24th minute, heading narrowly over the bar from close range.[LNB]The Brazilian was then first to react when the ball was pumped into the area but found the wrong side of the post with his close-range effort.[LNB]Bilyaletdinov came close in the 35th minute after good link-up play involving Pienaar and Jo.[LNB]CruisingEverton were cruising and Pienaar made it 3-0 in the 37th minute with a goal out of nothing.[LNB]The South African latched on to a good crossfield ball from Bilyaletdinov to thump a shot from 25 yards beyond the goalkeeper.[LNB]AEK's troubles increased in the 55th minute, with Carlos Araujo sent off after kicking out at Distin following a challenge with the French defender.[LNB]Everton were prepared to play with patience in a bid to extend their lead.[LNB]Substitute Yakubu laid the ball into the path of Pienaar in the 62nd minute only for the goalkeeper to stick out a hand and parry his effort from 20 yards.[LNB]Then Jack Rodwell tried his luck from distance but Saja made a comfortable save.[LNB]Everton kept up the pressure and Leon Osman clipped a shot wide of the post in the 66th minute after Yakubu had carved out the opening for the home side.[LNB]Saha should have extended their lead in the 79th minute but sent his shot over the bar from four yards.[LNB]But they did not have long to wait, with Jo getting their fourth goal three minutes later before Saha's sending off.[LNB][LNB]EvertonTeam StatisticsAEK Athens4Goals031st Half Goals07Shots on Target34Shots off Target59Blocked Shots29Corners012Fouls71Offsides11Yellow Cards11Red Cards184.7Passing Success77.718Tackles1388.9Tackles Success69.260.9Possession39.154.1Territorial Advantage45.9
