Source: Eurosport
Everton claim easy win
Everton shrugged off their poor domestic form to make a winning start in the Europa League as they beat AEK Athens 4-0. [LNB] David Moyes's side were in control from the start and raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time thanks to goals from Joseph Yobo, Sylvain Distin and Steven Pienaar. [LNB] Jo extended their lead in the second period but substitute Louis Saha was sent off in stoppage time for lashing out at Juanfran.[LNB] Pienaar came within inches of putting Everton ahead with a fierce shot. Goalkeeper Sebastian Saja parried his effort around the post. 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 the Russian that led to the goal. The Greek side failed to deal with it and Marouane Fellaini was the first to react in a crowded area. 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] Everton were cruising and Pienaar made it 3-0 in the 37th minute with a goal out of nothing. 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 kept up the pressure and Leon Osman clipped a shot wide of the post in the 66th minute after Ayegbeni 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.
