Source: SKY_Sports
Everton v AEK Athens live!
// 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();} 90 (+3) That's it as the final whistle goes.[LNB]90 (+3) Osman blocked as he tries to make a run and he is left on the turf but nothing given by the referee.[LNB]90 (+2) Osman takes the free-kick but hits the first man. There is drama though as Juanfran drops to the floor in the box - Saha has flicked him under the chin with a raised hand and gets his marching orders with a red card.[LNB]90 (+1) Gosling fouled by Juanfran down the right and wins a free-kick.[LNB]90 There will be three more minutes added on.[LNB]90 Late shot on target from Blanco from the edge of the Everton area but it is straight at Howard and he makes the save with ease.[LNB]90 Into the final minute now as Everton cruise to victory.[LNB]89 Dangerous cross from the left by Jo which is cut out by AEK and cleared.[LNB]87 Long ball from AEK to the edge of the Everton area but Baines gets back well to head to Howard comfortably.[LNB]86 Jo picks out Baines nicely down the left but the left-back just fails to keep the ball in play.[LNB]86 Saha presses well on halfway and tries to steal the ball from Yahaya but gives away the free-kick.[LNB]84 Blanco has an optimistic shot from outside the box but only manages to hit the first defender and it loops out for an AEK throw-in.[LNB]82 GOAL JO: It finally arrives and is fully deserved. Good work from Yakubu who centres dangerously and the striker buries the ball after picking it up via the leg of an oustretched defender.[LNB]81 Another Everton attack breaks down on the edge of the AEK box.[LNB]79 Saha misses a sitter from five yards. Baines plays on after looking to shove an AEK defender. He crosses for the striker but he blasts the ball carelessly over when it would have been easier to score.[LNB]78 Blanco should pull one back for AEK but his shot from six yards goes wide of the target under pressure from Yobo.[LNB]77 Confusion among the four officials as the ref is unsure whether it is offside or a free-kick to AEK in the Everton half. The outcome is a drop-ball which Osman hoofs long up field to the AEK back four.[LNB]76 Free-kick to AEK after a rather soft foul on Juanfran by Osman when the two jump for a high ball.[LNB]74 Saja has taken a bit of a knock so play stops while he is seen to. He restarts the game with a long kick forward.[LNB]73 A quick email from Keith in Seattle: "Why can't we produce this kind of form in the Prem, or are AEK just really bad. Come on you Blues!"[LNB]72 Nice swinging cross from the right by Osman but it is a bit too deep and goes out for an AEK throw.[LNB]71 AEK replace Leonardo with Serdu Yahaya.[LNB]70 Lovely stuff from Saha down the left as he and Baines link up well. The latter makes a surge for the byline and goes down under pressure but no penalty is the decision.[LNB]69 Yakubu looks lively but his cross from the left byline is a bit too high and drifts behind for an AEK goal-kick.[LNB]68 Saha is on in place of Pienaar, who has played extremely well. The corner is delivered but Fellaini can't make any meaningful contact on the cross.[LNB]67 Osman shoots again from the edge of the AEK box but it is deflected behind again for another corner.[LNB]66 Everton are swarming at the moment and both Jack Rodwell and Osman threaten the AEK goal again. Louis Saha looks ready to come on.[LNB]65 Pantelis Kafes goes in the book for what looks like too much complaiing after play was not halted while Juanfran was down on the floor.[LNB]64 Juanfran is down injured but play goes on as Fellaini and then Jo can't fire a shot on goal. The ball breaks to Osman and his half hit attempt is smuggled behind for a corner.[LNB]64 Everton closing on a fourth goal as Osman drills his cross against Juanfran, who deflects it behind for another corner.[LNB]63 Baines elivers the corner but AEK are able to clear.[LNB]62 Another corner to Everton after Jo fins Yakubu on the edge of the AEK box. He lays it back to Pienaar and the latter forces Saja to make the save and parry it around the post.[LNB]62 Another good attack down the left involving Pienaar and Baines but the latter can't find the killer ball into the danger area.[LNB]61 Throw on the left deep in the Everton half for AEK. They are unable to pose any threat to Howard's goal.[LNB]60 Makos now at right-back and his weak clearance hits Pienaar and nearly breaks dangerously in the AEK area.[LNB]59 Everton break and Yakubu tries to dance his way into the AEK box but Arce makes a good challenge to halt his progress.[LNB]58 Some threat to the Everton defence from Blanco but Yobo comes across with an uncompromising clearance for an AEK throw.[LNB]56 Distin back on the field and he is fine. Tough night just got tougher for AEK.[LNB]55 Araujo gets a straight red after tangling with Distin. The former kicks out into Distin's midriff and leaves the defender on the floor in some discomfort.[LNB]54 Long ball to Yakubu and the big striker gets a flick on with his head but it is behind once again for an AEK goal-kick.[LNB]53 Gosling gets his feet tangled up and can't deliver a telling cross from the right. The ball falls to Pienaar but he makes an equally weak attempt and the ball dribbles behind for an AEK goal-kick.[LNB]52 Bilyaletdinov makes way for Yakubu and he gets a great reception.[LNB]52 Fellaini looks to release Jo with an early ball but it is too short for the striker and easily cut out.[LNB]51 Yakubu looks to be getting stripped for action as Howard takes a goal-kick for the home side.[LNB]50 Cahill switch due to the yellow card he picked up and the Australian has no injury problems.[LNB]49 Not the best delivery from Bilyaletdinov and it is headed clear for a throw-in.[LNB]48 Jo tries to cross from the left but it is blocked and goes behind for an Everton corner.[LNB]47 Better start from Greeks in this half and they build a promising attack until it is broken up on the edge of the Everton box.[LNB]46 Leon Osman on for Cahill while Gustavo Manduko is on for Nsaliwa for the visitors as the home side get us going once again.[LNB] Looks all over as far as the betting is concerned at Sky Bet with Everton now 1/500 for a winning European start. A most unlikely comeback victory by AEK is priced at 100/1. It is 16/5 to remain 3-0, while 4-0 is priced up at 13/5. Jo has looked lively and he is 13/2 to score next while the excellent Bilyaletdinov is a 12/1 chance to do likewise.[LNB]45 (+2) Late strike from Fellaini is blocked and then the whistle goes for the break.[LNB]45 (+1) Arce forced to thump the ball into the crowd as Gosling tries to burst clear down the right.[LNB]45 There will be two minutes of stoppage time.[LNB]44 Good defending from Carlos Araujo after Bilyaletdinov and Baines exchange a 1-2 down the left. Baines gets the last touch and it is behind for an AEK goal-kick.[LNB]43 AEK try and switch the play down the left but Pienaar tracks back well and makes an important interception.[LNB]42 Cahill goes in the book as delivers a rather hefty challenge on Leonardo.[LNB]40 Free-kick from just inside the AEK half from Distin but he overhits it and the ball is gathered by Saja.[LNB]39 Good shot from the free-kick by Nacho Scocco that clears the wall but Howard makes the save in the middle of his goal.[LNB]39 Free-kick to AEK around 30 yards from the Everton goal.[LNB]37 GOAL PIENAAR: Pick of the three goals so far as the South African is given chance to turn 25 yards out before beating Saja to his left with a stinging low shot.[LNB]37 Baines gives the ball away when trying to fine Fellaini with a short pass so AEK are able to break.[LNB]35 Pienaar drills in a low cross from the right and Bilyaletdinov is lurking but can't manage to get a touch on the ball goalward.[LNB]35 Jo has some space down the right but is a bit undecided what to do so his cross is blocked - he wins a throw though.[LNB]34 Push on Jo just inside his own half and he gets the free-kick.[LNB]33 Long-range effort from Grigoris Makos but it bounces comfortably into the arms of Howard.[LNB]31 Jo causes a nuisance again in the AEK box as he manages to get his head on a long ball from Distin - he just glances it wide of the post.[LNB]30 Nsaliwa unleashes a rocket shot from just outside the box but it is always rising and goes over the bar for an Everton goal-kick.[LNB]29 Dangerous ball across from Ismael Blanco down the right but Yobo gets in the way to clear his lines as Howard scrambles around.[LNB]28 Bilyaletdinov delivers another fantastic cross into the box but no blue shirt can quite get on the end.[LNB]27 Bilyaletdinov delivers a deep corner but the whistle goes for an infringement and an AEK free-kick.[LNB]26 Lovely ball from Bilyaletdinov into the feet of Jo. He creates some space just inside the AEK box and his fierce shot is blocked bravely by Arce. Corner to Everton.[LNB]26 Leonardo limps off after some treatment but looks okay to continue when he gets the nod.[LNB]25 Leonardo goes down injured just inside his own half and play goes on until Baines lets the ball go out of play.[LNB]24 Bilyaletdinov's delivery is superb once again and a nod back across the six-yard box is just headed over the bar by Jo.[LNB]23 Good work from Pienaar on the right and he is eventually fouled and wins a free-kick in a good place.[LNB]21 Nicolas Arce drills in a cross from the right as AEK continue to try and get a foothold in the game.[LNB]20 Pantelis Kefes produces the berst moment so far from AEK as he strikes from a good 30 yards as the Everton defence backs off. The ball just whistles over Howard's bar with him at full stretch.[LNB]19 Baines and Jo look to link-up and create a third but a rather poor lay-off from the latter sees the ball intercepted and cleared.[LNB]17 GOAL DISTIN: Good delivery again from the restart and the ball drops in a crowded area. AEK can't clear and Sylvain Distin guides it home from close range.[LNB]16 Diniyar Bilyaletdinov takes the corner and it takes a deflection spotted by one of the extra officials and goes behind for a corner on the left.[LNB]15 Another corner kick after Dan Gosling's cross is blocked and goes behind.[LNB]13 AEK can finally make the switch for Geraldo as Tamandani Nsaliwa is on in his place.[LNB]12 Geraldo is done for the night as he kicks the ball off himself and limps for the touchline.[LNB]10 GOAL YOBO: Yobo meets the resultant corner unmarked as Saja flaps at nothing and he heads into an unguarded net.[LNB]10 Best chance of the game so far as Pienaar forces a good save from Sebastian Saja after his left foot shot from 20 yards. The ball is parried behind for a corner.[LNB]9 Geraldo is off the field at the moment getting some additional treatment as the game goes on. He is ready to come back on now.[LNB]7 Nice header on the edge of the box from Fellaini but Jo is forced wide after he collects the ball. Geraldo challenges Jo but falls awkwardly and ends up on the floor in some pain. Play goes on but Fellaini's shot in the box is blocked.[LNB]5 Baines crosses from the left to the back post and Steven Pienaar is there but he just can't connect with a header as the ball is intercepted.[LNB]4 All Everton so far and they have possession again amongst their back four.[LNB]3 Baines looks to cross from down the left but he can't get onto a ball from Tim Cahill and the move is broken up.[LNB]2 AEK have their first foray into Everton territory but the ball goes behind for a goal-kick to be taken by Tim Howard.[LNB]1 Some good early possession down the left involving Leighton Baines, Jo and Marouane Fellaini down the left but it ends with a free-kick for AEK.[LNB]1 AEK get us under way at Goodison.[LNB] Another quick update from Sky Bet before we get started - Jo is 11/2 to score first and a 3-0 scoreline is 10/1.[LNB] And the AEK Athens line-up: Sebastian Saja, Jahic, Arce, Geraldo, Araujo, Juanfran, Makos, Kafes, Scocco, Leonardo, Blanco. Subs: Arampatzis, Hersi, Nsaliwa, Manduca, Yahaya, Nemeth, Georgeas.[LNB] Here is how Everton start this evening: Howard, Gosling, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Pienaar, Cahill, Rodwell, Fellaini, Bilyaletdinov, Jo. Subs: Nash, Saha, Osman, Yakubu, Baxter, Wallace, Mustafi.[LNB] Some transfer news for the Toffees - Everton have signed defender Lucas Neill on a one-year contract.[LNB] Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is handed his first start for Everton in their Europa League Group I opener at Goodison Park. He was one of three changes to the side which lost to Fulham at the weekend. With Phil Neville injured and Tony Hibbert suspended, Marouane Fellaini and Dan Gosling were recalled while Leon Osman had to settle for a place on the bench. Jo was preferred to Louis Saha in attack with manager David Moyes opting to play with one striker. Two additional assistant referees were employed behind the goals as part of a UEFA experiment.[LNB] A first email of the evening from Stewart MacLaren from Torrevieja in Spain. He says: Everton will beat AEK Athens 3-2 tonight at Goodison Park with goals from Tim Cahill, Bilylaetdinov & Yakubu.[LNB] Everton get their Europa League campaign under way at home to AEK Athens and David Moyes' side are 4/7 for victory with Sky Bet. The Greeks are 5/1 before kick-off and the draw can be backed at 11/4. If you have any thoughts on how this one will go then drop me a line at david.john@bskyb.com.[LNB]
