Everton comfortably into Europa League draw
Moyes' side now progress into Friday's Europa League draw.
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Thursday, 27, Aug 2009 07:23
By Rob Swan
Everton booked their place in Friday's Europa League draw after a 1-1 draw - 5-1 comprehensive aggregate win - over Czech Republic outfit SK Sigma Olomouc.
Steven Pienaar struck just before the break to seal the Toffees' passage into the group-stages of the competition, while Pavel Sultes grabbed a consolation ten minutes before the final whistle to secure a creditable draw for the Czech side.
The Toffees endured a nightmare start when Tony Hibbert was sent off for a professional foul after just six minutes when he was adjudged to have fouled Jakub Petr just outside the box.
The home side were the first to threaten to score when the resulting free-kick, struck by Lukas Bajer, hit Tim Howard's crossbar.
Everton's first chance came on the 17th minute when Jo almost locked on to the end of Pienaar's dangerous low cross, but the ball bypassed the Brazilian striker and rolled agonisingly past the right-hand post.
Sigma began to exert more pressure and on the 27th minute, Tomas Janotka showed good composure by controlling the ball on his chest inside the Everton penalty, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide.
The Czech side were left to rue their missed chances three minutes before the break when the lively Pienaar ended the tie as a contest with a well-taken goal.
Good work from Leon Osman on the right wing allowed the midfielder to cross from the edge of the box and the South African took an expert touch to steady himself before hitting the ball with the outside of his right-foot past a crowd of Sigma bodies.
Everton continued to control the flow of the game in the second-half as chances for both sides became few and far between.
However, Sigma grabbed a consolation ten minutes before the final whistle to level proceedings on the night when Rudolf Otepka's disguised free-kick found Sultes, and his shot from 20 yards was curled into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
There was a late cameo appearance from Everton striker Yakubu, who had been out of action for ten months because of an Achilles injury, but the match ended all square as the Toffees progressed at Sigma's expense.