Krasnodar 1-1 Everton

FC Krasnodar 1-1 Everton

(Ari 43: Eto'o 82)

I'll take that all day long. Bastard of an away trip, under the cosh from a pretty decent Krasnodar side for the majority of the game, but came away with a point, and top of the group as it stands after 2 games. Made a few changes from the weekend, but kept our back 5 the same, and they were under plenty of pressure in the first half, Stones having to make a couple of tackles, and Howard a couple of saves, while McGeady and Barry had shots saved, and Stones was unlucky to head one wide. But Krasnodar went in 1-0 up as Jagielka tried to clear a cross but only succeeded in nudging it into the path of Ari, who finished past Howard.

Lukaku came on for the pretty awful Atsu at half time, but it was still Krasnodar who looked the more likely, sub Wanderson dancing through and hitting the top of the crossbar. But we improved after that, and started playing much better in the last 20 minutes or so, and went close a couple of times, before with 8 minutes to go, Baines corner was cleared back to him, and his inswinging cross was touched in by Samuel Eto'o. Lukaku had a header saved by Dikan late on to deny us a late winner, but cant argue with a point from that game. Looks like no injuries either, so a successful night really.

Everton Man of the Match

John Stones. Growing every game, won tackles and headers, started every attack from the back, looks like a veteran rather than the kid he is.