Thursday 25th February 2010
Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg
Sporting Lisbon 3-0 Everton (Agg 4-2)
Attendance: 17,609
Another chance to visit a top European venue, just a shame it was so soon after my last visit to Lisbon.
I'm sure many of you witnessed this debacle on television. All I can say is that to me it looked like Everton were sent out to play for a goalless draw and f*ck*d it up big time (why the negativity Moyes?). Another European journey ending in an embarrassing defeat to, quite frankly, poor opposition as Sporting overturned a 2-1 first leg deficit with goals from Miguel Veloso (64) Pedro Mendes (77) and Matias Fernandez (90).
Speaking to a few Sporting fans prior to the game, even they thought they were going to be pasted, hence the low crowd turnout of just over 17,000. With this defeat, the planned trip to Athletico Madrid in the next round vanished in the Lisbon night sky
The only bright spot was the return of Phil Jagielka after nearly a year out with injury, he got a tremendous welcome from the travelling blues when he came on as a second half substitute.
Thursday 22nd October 2009
Europa League Group I
Benfica 5-0 Everton
Attendance: 44,354
Another day, another train journey but now it was time for the main event! A visit to the iconic Estadio da Luz, the home of Benfica (I must stress that this is not the original Stadium of Light, that was demolished and re-built for Euro 2004, but is in exactly the same spot).
This is the first time in their recent revival that Everton have pulled a genuine "big" European side, and that meant around 6,000 Evertonians were here to bear witness. Sadly, what an anti-climax it proved to be.
An Everton team decimated by injuries (10 first teamers were missing) was absolutely torn apart by an electrifying Benfica side. A sorry Everton side was playing for pride after a mere 51 minutes following a capitulation just after half time.
Javier Saviola scored the only goal of a fairly even first half, heading home a left wing cross. A second-half blitz just after the break saw the Blues concede three quick and easy goals from Cardozo (2) and Luisao to end the game as a contest. David Moyes' side offered nothing as an attacking force, apart from a Louis Saha shot which came back off the post. Saviola wrapped it up seven minutes from time with his second to complete the win for the homesters, and condemn Everton to their heaviest defeat in European competition.
By this time however, I was already on my way back to the bar for another Sagres.
