Everton came from a goal down to win 2-1 against Dynamo Kiev in their Europa League last 16 first leg clash at Goodison Park, and restore a little bit of pride after a bad week for English clubs.
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(Video) Everton 2-1 Dynamo Kiev Europa League highlights: Lukaku gives Toffees slender lead to take to Ukraine
EQUALIZER! Steven Naismith times his run to perfection to score for Everton
Goals from Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku ensure that Roberto Martinez’s side will take a slender lead with them to Ukraine next week.
Here is how the players rated tonight:
GK- Tim Howard 6
Could have perhaps done better with Kiev’s goal, having got beaten at his near post, but looked solid most of the evening.
RB- Seamus Coleman 6
Didn’t have one of his best games in an Everton shirt, struggled to get into the game, and wasn’t able to make as many of his threatening attacking runs.
CB- Phil Jaglieka 7
Made a couple of crucial interventions in the first half to keep Everton in the game. Jaglieka had another solid evening at the back.
CB- Antolin Alcaraz 6
Struggled in the first half, his passing in particular was not great. But looked better, and more settled in the second half.
LB- Luke Garbutt 6
Perhaps struggled to deal with Yarmolenko, but could put that down to inexperience in arguably one of the biggest games he’s played.
CM- Gareth Barry 6
His passing was not always accurate, but he put in another big shift for his team, and provided a stability which allowed the other players to go forward.
CM- James McCarthey 8
Formed a formidable partnership with Barry, that provided a stability that they have perhaps lacked at times this season. His passing and tackling were strong.
LAM- Steven Naismith 7
His equaliser was definitely the high point in a fairly quiet game for the Scotland international. He struggled to make an impact from the wing.
CAM- Ross Barkley 6
Lost his man for the opening goal, so will be disappointed with that, though he did appear blocked off. He largely had another inconsistent performance which has summed his fledging career.
RAM- Kevin Mirallas 6
Like Naismith, struggled to make a major impact from the wing. His service from crosses was not at its best.
ST- Romelu Lukaku 8
Was so strong when he ran through the Kiev defence to set up Steven Naismith for the equaliser, and deserved his penalty goal. Typical of his season, he squandered a couple of good chances which could have made the score much more comfortable.
Subs
Leon Osman 6
Added some much needed energy when he came on, which seemed to motivate the Toffees to push for the winner, which they got when his cross led to the penalty.
Arouna Kone 6
Did not offer much when he came, and missed a decent chance, but he is still recovering from a long-term injury that has practically wrecked two seasons at Goodison.