Toffees come unstuck in Lisbon as Euro tilt ends

EVERTON manager David Moyes saw his side humbled in Lisbon for the second time this season and crash out of the Europa League in the process.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg and on the back of a superb victory against Manchester United, they were widely expected to complete the job in Portugal.

However, Sporting shrugged off their indifferent form to progress to the last 16 thanks to second-half goals from Miguel Veloso, Pedro Mendes and substitute Matias Fernandez.

Everton were stunned just like they were last October when Benfica recorded a 5-0 victory.

Moyes was forced to field a weakened side then but most of his top players were available last night.

Everton were given a chasing and goalkeeper Tim Howard was forced into action after just four minutes when Marat Izmailov cut inside.

The Russian cracked in a shot but Howard was equal to it and parried the ball to safety.

Sporting came within a whisker of taking the lead on the night when Phillipe Senderos, on loan from Arsenal, barged over Yannick Djalo on the edge of the area. Skipper Joao Moutinho stepped forward and sent a sweet free-kick over Howard but saw his effort come back off the bar.

Liedson latched on to the rebound but snatched at his effort and it went wide. Everton woke out of their slumber a minute before half-time when Senderos found the net after getting on the end of a Leighton Baines free.

But Senderos’ effort from inside the area was ruled out for offside as the player raised his arm in celebration.

Senderos needed treatment three minutes into the second half after taking a knock in a challenge and had to be replaced by Phil Jagielka, who was making his first appearance since April.

Sporting stepped up the pace and Howard did well to turn away a close range shot from Izmailov in the 58th minute.

Sporting got the goal their pressure merited on 64 minutes when Veloso got clear inside the six yard area and from an acute angle drove a shot beyond Howard and into the corner.

Sporting grabbed their second in the 76th minute through former Rangers midfielder Mendes.

He got on the end of a cutback from Izmailov to find the corner with his effort, although it appeared to take a deflection off substitute Jack Rodwell.

Fernandez then added a third in stoppage time with a superb run and finish to complete a night of misery for Everton.

SPORTING LISBON: Patricio, Carrico, Tonel, Grimi (Saleiro, 62), Veloso, Moreira, Mendes, Izmailov (Fernandez, 90), Moutinho, Djalo, Liedson (Polga, 90)

EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Yobo, Senderos (Jagielka, 52), Bilyaletdinov (Rodwell, 62), Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Osman, Saha, Donovan (Yakubu, 73).

Referee: Alon Yefet.