Everton take the lead in Europa League Round of 16
Tim Howard and Everton came back to beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-1 at Goodison Park on Thursday to open their 2014-15 Europa League Round of 16 series. Dynamo Kyiv took the lead in the 14th minute with Steven Naismith equalizing for Everton in the 39th. Romelu Lukaku converted an 82nd-minute penalty for the first-leg win. Everton outshot Dynamo 16 to 10 putting nine of those on goal to Dynamo’s three. The series concludes next Thursday at Kyiv’s NSK Olimpiyskyi Stadium.
“The second half was an outstanding performance,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez said. “I think we were ourselves at our very best. We controlled the game completely. It was wave after wave but you have to be very aware not to leave yourself exposed against a team like Dynamo. They have got excellent individuals but we stopped them from being a threat. You cannot underestimate a win in Europe and I thought the way we did it was fantastic. Our intensity in possession was very good and then to be able to win a game against a side with a winning mentality was very pleasing.”
“In the first half we controlled the game better but after half-time Everton had more of it and we sat back and they took advantage,” Dynamo’s Miguel Veloso said. “Everton have a good team and some excellent players [but] it will be a different game in Kyiv. I think it’s 50-50 now. We want to get through and we have to do what we did in the first half here – try to control the play and create chances.”
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