Moyes elated as Toffees on brink

EVERTON boss David Moyes was delighted with his side’s second-half improvement as they claimed a 2-0 victory over SK Brann with the manager setting a new club record.

The UEFA Cup last 32 first-leg victory in Norway was Everton’s sixth successive European victory, a total no previous Toffees boss has achieved.

Victor Anichebe, with his fourth in the competition this season, is one short of setting a club record for a European run.

Leon Osman scored the first goal before the teenager sealed the win with two minutes remaining.

Now Everton are on the brink of a last-16 place, against the winners of the Rosenborg-Fiorentina tie, and Moyes said: “I am delighted with the way we turned this game around.

“In the first half we were not going anywhere, we were not passing the ball quickly enough and we were not showing enough pace.

“Brann are a good side. They have just won the Norwegian championship and beaten a top side like Rosenborg to do it.

“But we needed to improve after the break. We seemed to be trying to do everything perfectly.

“But we got better as the game went on and Leon Osman and Victor scored fine goals.

“I will not start thinking about the next round until we have completed the job, the second leg being next week.

“We need to show respect because Brann showed themselves to be a very good side and we know they will come to Goodison Park desperate to get revenge for this.

“But we are getting our players back from injury and the African Nations Cup. Mikel Arteta should be back from injury by the time the second leg comes around and we have players suited to European competition becoming available again.

He added: “I was also pleased with the performance of (Ayegbeni) Yakubu, he came back into the side and played really well up front. He kept hold of the ball, linked the play well and worked really hard for the team.”

Anichebe won praise from Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley, who said: “He is a strong lad and he is being used by the boss to come on as a substitute when defenders are tiring.

“He has done so well in this competition, we almost expect him to score now when he gets onto the pitch.”

Said goal hero Leon Osman afterwards: “We knew we had to be patient, European football is a lot different to Premier League football, we’ve learned that.

“We have been far more patient than we have in the past.”

The midfielder warned that the Norwegians would still provide stiff opposition with Everton far from assured of progress.

He added: “It is far from over they will give everything they have got but if we keep a clean sheet were through.

“We came here and kept a clean sheet and we’re pleased with that.”

SK BRANN: Opdal, Dahl (Thwaite 89), Bjarnason, Sigurdsson, Hanstveit, Solli, Bakke, El Fakiri (Huseklepp 75), Moen, Helstad, Karadas (Demba-Nyren 69).

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Cahill, Carsley, Fernandes (Hibbert 89), Yakubu (Baines 90), Johnson (Anichebe 76). Subs

Ref: Anton Genov