Viola inflict penalty heartache on Toffees

DAVID MOYES was left distraught as his battling Everton side exited the UEFA Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Everton dominated the game. They signalled their intentions as early as the second minute when Leon Osman cracked in a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected to safety.

Everton made the breakthrough in the 16th minute when Steven Pienaar delivered a cross from the left, goalkeeper Sebastien Frey seemed to be distracted by the presence of Ayegbeni Yakubu and the ball broke to Johnson, who bundled in from close range.

Everton stepped up the pressure and Mikel Arteta smacked a shot wide following a cross from Joleon Lescott.

Phil Jagielka sent a header over the bar in the 29th minute following a free-kick from Arteta, before Martin Jorgensen tested goalkeeper Tim Howard with a fine volley at the other end in the 32nd minute.

Two minutes later Everton almost drew level on aggregate when Yakubu weaved his way into the area but Frey parried and it was eventually cleared. Yakubu found the net in first half stoppage time only to be ruled offside.

Fittingly it was Arteta who pulled the teams level on aggregate in the 66th minute with a stunning strike from 25 yards. Frey, who had kept out a string of shots, was powerless to prevent the ball zipping into the net.

Frey then saved a shot from defender Joseph Yobo with his knees to prevent Everton taking the lead.

Everton were almost hit by a sucker punch in the 76th minute when substitute Giampaolo Pazzini flicked in a header but Howard reacted superbly to push his effort over the bar.

It was Fiorentina who almost went ahead in extra-time but Pazzini saw his effort go narrowly wide.

Moyes’ men kept pushing forward and substitute Victor Anichebe twice got into good positions but could not take advantage.

But there was only heartache for Everton as they went down 4-2 in shoot-out with Yakubu and Jagielka failing to convert their efforts, while their Italian opponents were clinical from the penalty spot.

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Pienaar (Anichebe 106), Arteta, Carsley, Osman, Johnson (Gravesen 119), Yakubu.

FIORENTINA: Frey, Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual, Kuzmanovic (Gobbi 91), Donadel, Montolivo, Jorgensen (Santana 106), Osvaldo, Vieri (Pazzini 45).

Ref: Eric Braamhaar (Holland).