Source: Eurosport
Hot Rod shines as Everton stroll
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] Louis Saha also weighed in with a brace, as manager David Moyes got the response he was looking for after the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal last Sunday.[LNB] Moyes recalled both scorers, dropping Joleon Lescott for a poor attitude, while 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] The Toffees 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] Everton's pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Saha got ahead of the goalkeeper to turn Marouane Fellaini's cross into the corner of the net.[LNB] The home side added a second six minutes later with a thunderous 20 yard effort from Rodwell after a free-kick by Leighton Baines had come back off the wall.[LNB] Moyes' went 3-0 in the 54th minute thanks to another thunderbolt from Rodwell. Baines' free-kick was only partially cleared and Steven Pienaar slid it back into the path of the teenager, who showed little hesitation to rifle a shot from 25 yards beyond a despairing Drobisz.[LNB] It was becoming a stroll for Everton with the visitors tiring and Saha added a fourth in the 74th minute with a sweet finish after he was set up by Osman.[LNB] Three minutes later Rodwell was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by another bright youngster Dan Gosling, as Everton surely secured their passage into the group stages.
