Toffees win, but Moyes left feeling frustrated

Everton 2 Sporting Lisbon 1

Moyes’ side seemed to shrug off the loss of Fellaini, who needs ankle surgery, by racing into a two-goal lead against Sporting Lisbon, thanks to Steven Pienaar and Sylvain Distin.

However the game took a twist with four minutes left when Miguel Veloso scored from the spot after Distin floored Liedson, the defender sent off in the process. It means Everton face a difficult trip to Portugal next week.

Fellaini was hurt following a crunching tackle with Liverpool’s Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who was sent off in the derby. Moyes said: “Fellaini is not good. He has an injury similar to Robin van Persie and that could keep out for six months. We will not be sure until the operation takes place.

“He has played really well this season and is part of the reason behind our improvement. He’s a big miss already.”

Moyes could not hide his disappointment at the way they let Sporting back into the tie.

Pienaar made the breakthrough in the 35th minute with a good finish after being set up by Tim Cahill. Distin extended Everton’s lead in the 49th minute after goalkeeper Rui Patricio flapped at Leighton Baines’ corner.

Moyes said: “We did enough to be two up and I didn’t see a goal coming. But it was not to be. We’re disappointed we haven’t seen the job through.”

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Donovan, Arteta (Rodwell 78), Osman, Pienaar, Cahill (Yakubu 62), Saha (Bilyaletdinov 83).

SPORTING: Rui Patricio, Abel, Tonel, Daniel Carrico, Grimi, Mendes, Veloso, Izmailov, Fernandez (Saleiro 66), Joao Moutinho (Djalo 66), Liedson.

Referee: Darko Ceferin (Slovenia).