Toffees’ sweet win

ROOKIE midfielder Jack Rodwell became Everton’s youngest goalscorer in European competition with two spectacular long-range goals in their emphatic Europa League play-off first-leg victory over Sigma Olomouc at Goodison Park.

Louis Saha also grabbed a brace as David Moyes’s side erased memories of their drubbing by Arsenal at the weekend.

Moyes recalled both scorers, dropping Joleon Lescott for a poor attitude in the wake of that defeat and after they had rejected two bids from Manchester City.

Skipper Phil Neville was drafted into defence with Saha replacing Jo against the Czechs.

Everton’s opener came in the 34th minute when Saha made the breakthrough to give them a lift. Saha got ahead of the goalkeeper after Marouane Fellaini delivered the cross to find the corner with his effort.

Everton added a second six minutes later with a thunderous effort from Rodwell to mark his return to the first team. He thumped a shot beyond Drobisz from 20 yards after a free-kick by Leighton Baines come back off the wall.

Everton were looking to keep up the pressure at the start of the second half and stretched their lead in the 54th minute.

They went 3-0 ahead thanks to another thunderbolt from Rodwell.

Baines’ free-kick was only partially cleared and Pienaar slid it back into the path of the teenager, who showed little hesitation to rifle a shot from 25 yards beyond a despairing Drobisz.

Rodwell was substituted after taking a knock and was given a rousing ovation by the Everton supporters.

It was all Everton at this stage with Sigma looking disorganised and dispirited.

It was becoming a stroll for Everton with the visitors tiring and Saha added a fourth in the 74th minute with a sweet finish after he was set up by Osman.

EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Rodwell (Gosling 77), Cahill, Pienaar (Vaughan 83), Saha (Jo 79).

SIGMA OLOMOUC: Drobisz, Daniel Rossi, Dreska, Skerle, Onofrej, Kascak, Otepka (Bajer 62), Hubnik, Tomas Lovasik, Petr (Janotka 74), Ordos (Sultes 46). Referee: L Batista (Portugal).