Source: Liverpool_Echo
Sporting Lisbon 3 Everton FC 0 (4-2) - Europa League heartache for the Blues
Steven Pienaar[LNB]EVERTON'S dreams of Europa League glory this season came to an disappointing end against Sporting Lisbon.[LNB]Holding a 2-1 advantage going into the second leg, they struggled to cope with a rejuvenated Sporting side. Second-half goals from Miguel Veloso, Pedro Mendes and susbstitute Matias Fernandez sent the home side through to the last 16.[LNB]Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was forced into action after just four minutes when Marat Izmailov cut inside. The Russian cracked in a shot but Howard was equal to it and parried the ball to safety.[LNB]It was an early warning to Everton that Sporting were determined to turn the tie around after a string of indifferent results.[LNB]The home side had made a bright start and Liedson clipped his effort wide of the post in the 13th minute.[LNB]Sporting came within a whisker of taking the lead on the night when Senderos, on loan from Arsenal, barged over Yannick Djalo on the edge of the area.[LNB]Skipper Joao Moutinho stepped forward and sent a sweet free-kick over Howard but saw his effort come back off the bar. Liedson latched on to the rebound but snatched at his effort and it went wide to Everton's relief.[LNB]However, this was a difficult spell for David Moyes's side who went into the match on a superb run of form after losing only two of their last 13 games in all competitions.[LNB]Then Miguel Veloso sent a shot into Howard's body as Sporting maintained the momentum.[LNB]Everton were struggling to get a foothold in the game and Moyes was already looking anxious in the technical area.[LNB]Certainly they had not started with the intensity they showed at the weekend in the victory against Manchester United.[LNB]Sporting were having the majority of possession and weaving pretty patterns all over the pitch.[LNB]They had the advantage as well of having an away goal in the bank after a late revival at Goodison Park. So the last thing Everton wanted was for the home side to pull ahead on the night.
