Toffees off to Euro flyer
Tim Cahill was Everton's star man against Greek side Larissa
Thursday, 25, Oct 2007 10:25
Everton enjoyed the perfect start to their European adventure with an impressive 3-1 victory over Greek side Larissa at Goodison Park.
Playing in his first game back for six months, midfielder Tim Cahill opened the scoring for the home side with a good header from Leon Osman's cross.
Osman was on the end of a Leighton Baines centre, via a Stephen Pienaar flick, for the second before Silva Cleyton pulled one back for the visitors.
But five minutes from time, striker Victor Anichebe made it safe for the Merseysiders when he fired home at the end of a penetrating run.
The stars of the show however were certainly Everton's newly reformed midfield pairing of Cahill and Mikel Arteta, who ran the show from the middle of the park.
Arteta showed his usual sublime skill and dead-ball abilities but the tireless running of Cahill, who also proved his worth as a playmaker and attacking threat, kept David Moyes' men on the front foot.
Both sides looked a little cagey to begin with, but it was the home team who looked to pose more of a threat.
And, cheered on by a vocal Goodison crowd, Cahill's early strike gave them impetus and a platform to build upon.
Cahill always looked dangerous and nearly doubled the lead with a long-range drive, which was saved by the Greek side's goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis.
James McFadden squandered a good opportunity when played in by Joleon Lescott but his miss was soon forgotten as Osman doubled the lead.
Cleyton proved to be a thorn in Everton's side in much the same way he was when scoring twice over two legs to knock out Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers in the last round.
And he found the net again on English soil as he pounced after some hesitancy from defender Lescott.
But Everton held firm after that setback and Anichebe completed the scoring with five minutes left to guide the Toffees to a winning start in their European campaign.