Athens toppled by Toffees

// 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 put their domestic struggles aside to crush AEK Athens 4-0 at Goodison Park in their opening Europa League group game. The Toffees may be languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League but they seem determined to enjoy a long European run following a convincing victory over their Greek opponents.Joseph Yobo headed Everton in front on 10 minutes before Sylvain Distin grabbed his first goal for the club seven minutes later following a scramble in the six-yard box.Steven Pienaar made it 3-0 with a fine strike before half-time and Everton continued to carve out opportunities at will after Carlos Araujo was dismissed for the visitors before Jo added a late fourth.However, the night ended on a sour note when Louis Saha was sent off after lashing out with his arm at Juanfran in stoppage time.Bright startAEK were on the back foot after only seven minutes when Pienaar tried to release Jo, only for Sanel Jahic to make a timely interception.It was a taste of what was to come as Pienaar came within inches of putting Everton ahead two minutes later with a fierce shot.Goalkeeper Sebastian Saja parried his effort around the post. Russian newcomer Diniyar Bilyaletdinov delivered the corner and Yobo peeled away from his marker to open the scoring.Everton went 2-0 ahead in the 17th minute and it was another corner from Bilyaletdinov that led to the goal.The Greek side failed to deal with it and Marouane Fellaini was the first to react in a crowded area.Even though he failed to get a decent touch, AEK were all at sea and the ball broke to Distin, who made no mistake from close range.Jo came close to extending Everton's lead in the 24th minute, heading narrowly over the bar from close range.The Brazilian was then first to react when the ball was pumped into the area but found the wrong side of the post with his close-range effort.Bilyaletdinov came close in the 35th minute after good link-up play involving Pienaar and Jo.CruisingEverton were cruising and Pienaar made it 3-0 in the 37th minute with a goal out of nothing.The South African latched on to a good crossfield ball from Bilyaletdinov to thump a shot from 25 yards beyond the goalkeeper.AEK's troubles increased in the 55th minute, with Carlos Araujo sent off after kicking out at Distin following a challenge with the French defender.Everton were prepared to play with patience in a bid to extend their lead.Substitute Yakubu laid the ball into the path of Pienaar in the 62nd minute only for the goalkeeper to stick out a hand and parry his effort from 20 yards.Then Jack Rodwell tried his luck from distance but Saja made a comfortable save.Everton kept up the pressure and Leon Osman clipped a shot wide of the post in the 66th minute after Yakubu had carved out the opening for the home side.Saha should have extended their lead in the 79th minute but sent his shot over the bar from four yards.But they did not have long to wait, with Jo getting their fourth goal three minutes later before Saha's sending off.EvertonTeam StatisticsAEK Athens4Goals031st Half Goals07Shots on Target34Shots off Target59Blocked Shots29Corners012Fouls71Offsides11Yellow Cards11Red Cards184.7Passing Success77.718Tackles1388.9Tackles Success69.260.9Possession39.154.1Territorial Advantage45.9

Source: SKY_Sports