Everton 0 Benfica 2

EVERTON’S hopes of making progress in the Europa League were dealt a bitter blow at Goodison Park last night.

Benfica completed the double in Group I after a rousing second half performance to cement their place at the top of the table.

In front of club legend Eusebio they sealed the points thanks to goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo.

Everton have now suffered two defeats after two wins and their match against AEK Athens next month is now crucial.

This is a worrying spell for manager David Moyes as his side are struggling to get going as well in the Premier League.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard said: ‘‘Tonight’s performance was better – but not where it needs to be.

‘‘We know we’re in a dogfight – no one knows that more than us – but as far as the Europa League is concerned, we still have a chance of going through.

‘‘It wasn’t good enough tonight, but we have a chance (to qualify).

‘‘Look at Benfica – with no disrespect to the other teams in the group, they are a Champions League team.

‘‘Their quality is fantastic and they’re setting the bar – they’re a tough team and they showed it over the games against us home and away.’’ Everton lost 5-0 in Lisbon and it took Benfica until the 41st minute to show the same kind of danger they posed in the home game.

Ramires got on the end of a cross from Fabio Coentrao and beat Howard with his header, only to see it come back off the post.

Saviola latched on to the loose ball and hammered in a shot but the American goalkeeper made a superb block.

The visitors made the allimportant breakthrough in the 63rd minute with a swift counter-attack.

Di Maria was involved in the build-up, resulting in a clinical low finish from close range by Saviola which gave Howard no chance.

The Portuguese made it 2-0 in the 75th minute when Cardozo rattled home a volley .

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Gosling (Jo 69), Fellaini, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Yakubu (Agard 81). Subs Not Used: Nash, Coleman, Duffy, Baxter, Wallace.

Benfica: Julio Cesar, Ruben Amorim, Sidnei, Luisao, David Luiz, Di Maria, Ramires (Maxi Pereira 45), Javi Garcia, Fabio Coentrao (Aimar 61), Cardozo, Saviola (Felipe Menezes 87). Subs Not Used: Quim, Shaffer, Weldon, Nuno Gomes.