Benfica 5 Everton 0: Moyes' men taught a European lesson in Lisbon

A depleted Everton side were ripped apart by Benfica in their Europa League match at the Estadio da Luz.Benfica took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half with four goals, three of them in the space of five minutes.Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo both scored a brace with Luisao also on target against an Everton side missing 11 players. Five-star: Two-goal Javier Saviola is mobbed by his Benfica team-mates after putting Everton to the swordWith Dan Gosling at right-back, Everton fielded an inexperienced defence against free-scoring Benfica while Tim Cahill was named captain.Everton conceded a free-kick after only 37 seconds just outside the area but managed to block Luisao's effort after Pablo Aimar had played the ball in.Luisao should have put Benfica ahead in the fifth minute only to head wide of the post following a corner from Aimar.Everton responded and Marouane Fellaini picked out Ayegbeni Yakubu five minutes later but the Nigeria striker had strayed offside and the move broke down.Benfica made the breakthrough in the 14th minute with superb half volley from Javier Saviola after a crossfield pass from Angel Di Maria split the defence.Shouting the odds: David Moyes is left irate by his team's second half collapseIt was a body blow for Everton given how many of their players weremissing and Benfica were winning the majority of possession at thisstage of the game.However, the visitors won a free-kick 25 yards out in the 24th minute but Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's effort was cleared to safety.It was Benfica's turn to retaliate and Di Maria saw his effort turned away by an alert Sylvain Distin.Everton pushed upfield in the 31st minute but Fellaini headed wide following a corner from Bilyaletdinov.Back came Benfica and Ramires headed across the face of the goal with Di Maria supplying the delivery.Everton, though, were gradually beginning to threaten and Bilyaletdinov thumped a shot wide of the target in the 34th minute.Then the Russian cut inside but failed to test goalkeeper Julio Cesar, sending his effort over the bar.Benfica launched a swift counter attack in the 39th minute, only for Ramires to find the side netting from an acute angle.Three minutes later Bilyaletdinov found himself clear on the right as he showed good initiative up front.However, his decision-making was poor as he tried his luck on goal when they were other options and the ball ran out of play.That must have given Moyes some hope they could turn things around in thesecond half after a shaky start. Throwing the towel in: Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is left down and out after Benfica's fourth However, Everton made a shocking start to the second half and suddenly found themselves 3-0 down.Oscar Cardozo scored both at the back post, the first with a close-range finish in the 46th minute, the second a header 60 seconds later.Saviola and Di Maria set up the goals and this was becoming a defensive nightmare for Everton without several experienced players.Leading by example: Benfica captain Luisao celebrates his goalLuisao then increased their misery in the 52nd minute to extend Benfica's lead to 4-0, although Coleman made a desperate but vainattempt to keep the ball out.Three minutes Di Maria smashed a shot against the bar as Everton struggled to regroup. Then Di Maria tested goalkeeper Tim Howard from 20 yards as they looked to add to their already healthy goals tally.Everton looked totally deflated as Benfica sprayed the ball aroundthe park with confidence. Cardozo was finding acres of space down theright but sent a tame shot into Howard's arms.However, the Argentinian brought a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 66th minute when he somehow managed to block his shot.Benfica made it 5-0 in the 84th minute when Saviola got his second of the match after a cross from Di Maria.Everton were chasing shadows and the final whistle must have come as a huge relief to Moyes and his players, not to mention the 6,000 travelling fans. No contest: Benfica's Pablo Aimar fights for the ball with Everton's Marouane Fellaini Benfica 5 Everton 0 - All the action as it happenedAmokachi keeps it in the family as ex-star sends twin sons to EvertonMATT LAWTON INTERVIEW: Moyes told me I'd let lads down, says LescottEVERTON FC

Source: Daily_Mail