Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC's hopes of Europa League progress dealt bitter blow at Goodison Park
Marouane Fellaini 300[LNB]EVERTON's hopes of making progress in the Europa League were dealt a bitter blow at Goodison Park.[LNB]Benfica completed the double in Group I after a rousing second half performance to cement their place at the top of the table.[LNB]In front of club legend Eusebio they sealed the points thanks to goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo.[LNB]Everton have now suffered two defeats after two wins and their match against AEK Athens next month is now crucial.[LNB]This is a worrying spell for manager David Moyes as his side are struggling to get going as well in the Barclays Premier League[LNB]Everton, who lost 5-0 in Lisbon, were made to pay after failing to take advantage of their half-chances in the early stages.[LNB]Marouane Fellaini made space inside the area after only four minutes but found the body of Benfica goalkeeper Julio Cesar with his shot.[LNB]The visitors responded 10 minutes later and the highly-rated Angel Di Maria tried a snapshot from 20 yards which was comfortably saved by Tim Howard.[LNB]It was a brief respite for the visitors with Leighton Baines picking out Ayegbeni Yakubu in the 16th minute.[LNB]The Nigerian striker turned quickly inside the area but sent his effort wide of the post.[LNB]Everton stepped up the pace and Baines saw his shot blocked and Jack Rodwell hoisted the rebound over the bar.[LNB]The visitors again found themselves on the back foot in the 24th minute but managed to scramble away Yakubu's effort.[LNB]Everton came close in the 28th minute when Cesar pushed a hanging cross out wide from Yakubu over the bar.[LNB]Yakubu was getting behind the Benfica defence but he was wasteful two minutes later after Sylvain Distin had delivered a good through-ball.[LNB]Di Maria then found space in area but saw his shot blocked before play switched back down the other end and Tim Cahill was denied by the goalkeeper in the 33rd minute.
