Everton 3-0 Lille: Toffees edge closer to progression after comfortable win

Posted Friday, November 07, 2014 by Talksport.co.uk

Everton 3-0 Lille: Toffees edge closer to progression after comfortable win
Everton remain top of Group H in the Europa League with an emphatic 3-0 win against Lille at Goodison Park.

The Toffees played on the front foot throughout and rarely looked threatened by their French opponents.

Leon Osman opened the scoring with a precise finish before Phil Jagielka’s header made it 2-0 at half time.

And the game was put to bed on the hour mark when the influential Steven Naismith fired past Vincent Enyeama inside the area.

Roberto Martinez’s side made a blistering start as Romelu Lukaku’s left-footed strike was well saved by Enyeama after good work from Naismith.

Everton demonstrated slick passing and creative movement, but Lille showcased their own attacking prowess when Ryan Mendes forced a good save from Tim Howard.

But Osman, who has signed a one-year contract extension with the club until 2016, opened the scoring on 26 minutes.

James McCarthy broke strongly through midfield before playing in Aiden McGeady down the right, and the Irish winger clipped in a probing cross towards Osman who showed great composure and emphatic finishing to put the hosts ahead.

Everton came close to a second when Naismith evaded the offside trap, forcing Enyeama into an excellent, smothered save.

But the hosts wouldn’t have to wait too long for the second when Jagielka headed home from the resulting corner.

McGeady’s curling delivery found the England defender who cleverly slipped his marker before sending a bullet header past Enyeama.

After the restart, Divock Origi, on-loan from Liverpool, had a good attempt deflected wide by Tony Hibbert before Lukaku prompted an enthusiastic save from Enyeama after a testing 30 yard free-kick.

But Everton were soon 3-0 ahead on the hour mark after some typically fluid forward play down their left hand side.

Lukaku’s strength and skill freed up space, which was unsurprisingly exploited by Leighton Baines, and the England full-back took his time to pick out Naismith whose neat pivot and strike did enough to beat Enyeama.

The third goal proved enough to stem the threat of Lille in the second half as Everton ran out worthy winners.

Earlier, Celtic endured a frustrating night against Astra Giurgiu, missing the chance to book their place in the last 32 following a 1-1 draw at the Marin Anastasovici Stadium.

Stefan Johansen opened the scoring for the visitors, with a 20 yard strike flying in courtesy of a Vasileios Pliatsikas deflection.

Stefan Scepovic wasted a brilliant opportunity to seal the match for Celtic, firing over with a wild strike after skilful play from Johansen.

And the Scottish champions were punished ten minutes from time when William de Amorim secured a point for the Romanian outfit curling a delightful effort past Craig Gordon.