Everton Progress In Europa League

Romelu Lukaku scored two goals to reach a total
of five in the tie as Everton cruised past Young
Boys to progress to the Europa League last 16.
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The Belgian striker followed up his hat-trick in the 4-1 win in Switzerland with two more after Sekou Sanogo had given the visitors the lead.
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Kevin Mirallas then made it 3-1 before the break as
Everton ensured a safe passage into Friday’s last-16
draw.

.They are now the only British side remaining in the
Europa League.
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The Merseysiders are flying the flag after Liverpool,
Tottenham and Celtic all exited the competition on
Thursday.
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A similar fate was never likely to befall Roberto
Martinez’s side after their exploits in Bern last week
but a slow start to this encounter gave Young Boys a
glimmer of hope and left the Goodison Park crowd
frustrated.
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It was the visitors who took the early lead after Tim
Howard saved Milan Vilotic’s header from Raphael
Nuzzolo’s shot and Sanogo reacted quickest to put in
the rebound.
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It could have been worse for Everton moments later
with Scott Sutter heading against the bar from
Gonzalo Zarate’s corner.
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However, the Toffees were soon level after Young
Boys goalkeeper Marco Wolfli fouled Steven Naismith in the area, following Lukaku’s delightful back heel.
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Lukaku confidently slotted home the penalty and
Everton soon had the lead on the night as the striker
netted his 15th of the campaign. The Belgian volleyed
home after he had been picked out by full back Luke
Garbutt.
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The hosts missed good chances through Gareth
Barry, Antolin Alcaraz and Mirallas, with Wolfli saving in style to deny the latter.
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But Darron Gibson, who was making his first start
since November, set up number three before the
break with a slide-rule pass that found Mirallas, who
coolly sidefooted home.
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Lukaku was unable to get a hat-trick and was
substituted just moments after the break. He
appeared to be clutching his hamstring but manager
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Martinez later suggested that the substitution was
merely down to tiredness.
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This was a first home win of 2015 for Everton, who
went in search of further goals, and Mirallas was
unfortunate to be denied by the wrong-footed Wolfli’s trailing leg.