Everton survive Metalist scare

Everton twice came from behind to beat Metalist in the Ukraine to qualify for the second round of the Uefa Cup.

Toffees do it the hard way

Everton twice came from behind to beat Metalist 3-2 in the Ukraine to qualify for the second round of the Uefa Cup. Despite a rocky start and a lacklustre defence throughout most of the game the Toffees finally went through but were by no means fluent in doing so. It was Metalist who first took the lead after Edmar found his way through the Everton defence to coolly slot the ball into the left corner of the net. Everton were lucky not to concede any more than that in the first half with their back four appearing to have an off day.

Equaliser

The Toffees equalised with a goal in the first few minutes of the second half, with Joleon Lescott in the right place at the right time to score from Steven Pienaar's cross. But again Everton's defence seemed to crumble as they went behind for a second time, Mahdoufi on the left picking up from a shot off the post to put Metalist back in front. More nervous moments for the travelling fans as Metalist continued to threaten the Toffees goal and really made life difficult for Everton. It was James McFadden, who had been one of the best players on the pitch, who brought Everton again back into the game from long-range. A stunning turn and precise finish gave Everton their second goal of the night. And the final nail in the coffin for Metalist, who were unlucky in defeat, came from a defensive error. Victor Anichebe on as a substitute again in the right place at the right time sealed the win for Everton in the final minutes with a cool finish. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was called into action after 15 minutes and did well to parry a shot from Edmar to safety.

Metalist took a 1-0 lead on the night and 2-1 on aggregate through Edmar in the 21st minute.

It was a cool finish from the Brazilian, low into the corner, following some nice build-up play involving Marko Devic.

Everton were rocked by that goal before McFadden weaved his way forward on the 20th minute, however his efforts failed to test the goalkeeper.

A minute later Jakobia stung Howard's fingers with a shot from distance.

Everton squandered a great chance to score in the 38th minute when McFadden picked out Steven Pienaar. He delivered a good cross into the area but Leon Osman's header was easily taken by the goalkeeper.

McFadden was determined to turn things but was unlucky to see a sweetly-struck shot from 25 yards find the roof of the net in the 41st minute.

The game took a different complexion in the 48th minute when Lescott pulled Everton level. He swept the ball in from almost on the goal-line after Pienaar had delivered the cross.

It was the defender's fifth goal of the season - he is Everton's highest scorer - but their hopes of building on that strike lasted only four minutes.

Howard was furious at his defence as Hicham Mahdoufi restored Metalist's one-goal advantage. He scored from the rebound after Devic's effort beat Howard but came back off the post.

Everton showed their battling qualities to draw level on aggregate in the 72nd minute.

Anichebe released McFadden and he swept the ball home after a quick turn and shot.

The Goodison side now had the advantage due to the away-goals rule and Anichebe sealed a fine victory by taking advantage of a defensive muddle two minutes from time.

Metalist Kharkiv	Team Statistics	Everton
2	Goals	3
1	1st Half Goals	0
5	Shots on Target	7
7	Shots off Target	3
2	Blocked Shots	1
1	Corners	2
17	Fouls	17
3	Offsides	5
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
79	Passing Success	68.1
25	Tackles	16
52	Tackles Success	68.8
60.9	Possession	39.1
53.4	Territorial Advantage	46.6