Source: SKY_Sports
Toffees see off Sigma
// 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();} Everton completed a comfortable Europa League victory over Sigma Olomouc despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second leg.[LNB] The Toffees made a nervy start and were a player down within 10 minutes when Tony Hibbert felled Jakub Petr as the Czech player bore down on goal.[LNB]Sigma continued the pressure, looking for an early goal, but their attacks were smothered by Everton and then Steven Pienaar put the tie beyond all doubt shortly before half-time.[LNB]Leon Osman cut in from the right-hand side and pulled the ball back to the South African, who gave goalkeeper Tomas Lovasik no chance with a powerful shot.[LNB]But the hosts salvaged some pride in the closing stages as a well worked free-kick between substitutes Rudolf Otekpa and Pavel Sultes nestled in the bottom corner of Tim Howard's net.[LNB]StartTaking a comprehensive 4-0 advantage to the Czech Republic from the first leg, it seemed all that David Moyes' side had to do to ensure victory was guard against complacency.[LNB]But within minutes of the kick-off the visitors had made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves, as Leighton Baines lost possession just metres from his own area.[LNB]Petr, who had already had one shot saved by Howard, latched onto the ball and was brought down heavily from behind by Hibbert just outside the area.[LNB]Despite protests from the Everton players, the referee was in no doubt and immediately showed Hibbert the red card, reducing Everton to 10 men.[LNB]Sigma looked to quickly seize the initiative, and after Lukas Bajer had rattled the crossbar direct from the free-kick, Tomas Horava and Tomas Janotka fired in an effort each within the next two minutes.[LNB]The hosts continued to dominate for the rest of the half, with Janotka in particular looking lively, but they could not fashion their possession into any further chances.[LNB]GoalIn Everton's first meaningful attack of the match, Osman broke clear on the right and pulled the ball back to find Pienaar arriving unmarked in the box. [LNB]He took one touch with his left foot to control the ball before smashing it past Lovasik and into the top corner with his right.[LNB]The goal appeared to deflate Sigma, and Everton looked in cruise control after the break despite being a man down.[LNB]Osman and Pienaar were replaced by 17-year-olds James Wallace and Jose Baxter midway through the second half, while Yakubu came off the bench to make his long-awaited return to competitive action.[LNB]But it was Sigma's double change that sparked the home side into life, with Otekpa creating the equaliser for his fellow substitute.[LNB]Otekpa rolled a free-kick across to Sultes, who drilled home with 10 minutes to go, but it was merely a consolation for the Czechs as Everton advanced to the group stages.[LNB]Sigma continued to push in an attempt to claim victory on the night, but their possession did not pay off again and Everton emerged with a 5-1 aggregate triumph.[LNB]
