Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton 4, Sigma Olomouc 0
ROOKIE midfielder Jack Rodwell became Everton's youngest goalscorer in European competition with two spectacular long-range goals in their emphatic Europa League play-off first-leg victory over Sigma Olomouc at Goodison Park.[LNB]With Louis Saha also weighing in with a brace this was surely the response manager David Moyes was looking for after the drubbing by Arsenal at the weekend.[LNB]Moyes recalled both scorers, dropping Joleon Lescott for a poor attitude in the wake of that defeat and after they had rejected two bids from Manchester City.[LNB]Skipper Phil Neville was drafted into defence with Saha replacing Jo against the Czechs, who had defeated Aberdeen 8-1 on aggregate in the previous round.[LNB]After a nervous start when goalkeeper Tim Howard parried a shot from Michal Ordos, Everton flexed their muscles and the return leg next week will surely be a formality.[LNB]Everton almost took the lead in the 23rd minute when Leon Osman rattled in a shot only for Petr Drobisz to turn it over the bar.[LNB]They continued to push forward and Osman tried his luck again six minutes later but again saw his effort fly over the bar.[LNB]Everton's pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Saha made the breakthrough to give them a lift.[LNB]The former Manchester United striker got ahead of the goalkeeper after Marouane Fellaini delivered the cross to find the corner with his effort.[LNB]It was Saha's second goal in two games after he scored the consolation against Arsenal and just the boost Everton were looking for.[LNB]They added a second six minutes later with a thunderous effort from Rodwell to mark his return to the first team.[LNB]He thumped a shot beyond Drobisz from 20 yards after a free-kick by Leighton Baines had come back off the wall.[LNB]One of Everton's brightest young stars, 18-year-old Rodwell wheeled away in a delight after such a fine goal and Pienaar almost got a third before half-time only for the goalkeeper to get his body behind the ball.
