Classy Fiorentina beat Everton 2-0 in Uefa Cup
David Moyes will have to lift his players for second leg
Thursday, 06, Mar 2008 10:04
Everton face a monumental task in reaching the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup after losing 2-0 away at Fiorentina.
David Moyes' men may be aiming for Champions League football next season, but they were completely outclassed against the Italians and could have lost by a wider margin.
The hosts almost took an early lead when Pablo Daniel Osvaldo had a free header inside the Everton penalty area, but he could only direct the ball into the arms of Tim Howard.
Veteran striker Christian Vieri should have given Fiorentina a deserved lead but his close range shot was superbly saved by Howard with his feet.
Moyes brought on Mikel Arteta after 55 minutes in place of Leon Osman, but Everton still found it difficult to string together a number of passes.
Fiorentina continued to dominate possession and took the lead through Zdravko Kuzmanovic.
Defender Tomas Ujfalusi laid the ball onto Kuzmanovic outside the Everton box and he thumped the ball past the diving Howard.
Everton were lucky not to go two down soon after, as Giampaolo Pazzini badly miscued his shot wide from only eight yards out.
But the quality Italian side did eventually get the all important second goal.
Mario Alberto Santana crossed an excellent ball into the Everton box and Martin Jorgensen flicked the ball onto Riccardo Montolivo, who scored from close range.
The second goal means that Everton will need to score three goals in the return leg at Goodison Park if they are to keep their Uefa Cup dreams alive.