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Europa League | Round-Of-32
Feb 26, 2015 at 8.05pm UK
 
Young Boys

3-1

Lukaku (25' pen., 30'), Mirallas (42')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Sanogo (13')

Live Commentary: Everton (7)3-1(2) Young Boys - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live coverage of the second leg of the Europa League last-32 tie between Everton and Young Boys.
2

Everton are through to the last 16 of the Europa League after they recorded a comfortable 3-1 triumph over Young Boys.

The Toffees went into the contest with a 4-1 advantage from the first leg, but they were given a scare during the early stages on Merseyside after Sekou Sanogo gave the Swiss side an early lead.

However, two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a cool finish from Kevin Mirallas were enough to guarantee the Premier League side's passage through to the next round.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Goodison Park.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the second leg of the Europa League tie between Everton and Young Boys.

Everton may be struggling for form in the Premier League, but it's a completely different story in Europe. After seeing off Wolfsburg, Lille and FC Krasnodar during the group stages, the Toffees came away from the first leg in Switzerland with a 4-1 advantage - this against a team who had defeated Napoli before Christmas. It's that kind of form that is perhaps keeping Roberto Martinez in a job, but it will be equally frustrating for the Spaniard that they can't reproduce their performances in domestic action.

Before we go any further, I shall point you in the direction of our coverage of the games that are currently taking place - it's not good news from a British perspective I'm afraid. Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic are currently on their way out of the competition, while Liverpool are locked at 1-1 on aggregate with Besiktas. An away goal would go down nicely for Brendan Rodgers's men! You can take your pick of the games by clicking here.

Anyway, back to this game, and without further ado, let's take a look at the two teams.

EVERTON XI: Howard, Garbutt, Alcaraz, Jagielka, Coleman, Gibson, Barry, McCarthy, Mirallas, Naismith, Lukaku

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Joel, Baines, Kone, Besic, Osman, Barkley, Browning

YOUNG BOYS XI: Wolfli, Vilotic, Lecjaks, Rochat, Sutter, Bertone, Nuzzolo, Sanogo Junior, Zarate, Kubo, Hoarau

YOUNG BOYS SUBSTITUTES: Mvogo, Hadergjonaj, Burki, Steffen, Sulejmanov, Afum, Gerndt

For various reasons, Roberto Martinez had a number of selection issues ahead of this game. He may have been tempted to rest Romelu Lukaku but the Belgian striker has retained his place, while goalkeeper Tim Howard also features despite recent criticism over his form. The suspended John Stones has been replaced by Antolin Alcaraz, while Darron Gibson makes a rare start alongside Gareth Barry in midfield.

As for Young Boys, there is a change in goal with Marco Wolfli coming in to replace Yvon Mvogo. Despite the scoreline, Mvogo enjoyed a decent game last week so it seems slightly harsh to drop him to the bench. Guillaume Hoarau remains the main man in attack though, and Everton will need to be alert to keep him quiet throughout the 90 minutes.

PREDICTION! If the second leg is anything like the first, literally any scoreline is possible. You'd expect Young Boys to come out on the offensive, but that will only free up space for Everton at the opposite end of the pitch. We think that Young Boys will score tonight, but the same can be said of Everton. 2-2.

The results from the 6pm kickoffs are beginning to come in and both Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic won't be playing any more European football this season. Spurs have succumbed 3-1 on aggregate to Fiorentina after a 2-0 defeat in Italy, while Celtic have fallen the same way after losing 1-0 to Inter Milan.

The game between Besiktas and Liverpool has gone to extra time with the match finely poised at 1-1 on aggregate. If you would like to follow the remainder of that contest, you can do so by clicking here.

The two teams have made their way onto the pitch at Goodison Park. We will be getting started in just a few minutes.

Young Boys get us underway.

Both teams have started at a brisk pace, but so far, the only action has been as a result of a couple of meaty challenges from Young Boys.

There is plenty of noise from the Young Boys faithful. Over 2,000 fans have made the way to Liverpool from Switzerland. Do they know something that we don't?

They are facing a three-goal deficit but Young Boys have marginally been the better team so far. They've had a couple of long-range efforts on goal too, with right-back Scott Sutter driving several yards over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Everton have responded positively enough, but they are yet to have to register any sort of shot on goal. Roberto Martinez won't be too concerned though. His team are seeing plenty of possession to ensure that their opponents are doing a significant amount of chasing during the early stages.

GOAL! Everton 0-1 Young Boys (Sanogo)

Just like they did in Switzerland, Young Boys strike early. A shot from the edge of the penalty area takes a slight deflection and is well saved by Tim Howard, but the rebound falls to Sekou Sanogo, who had the simple task of drilling the ball home from two yards. There were appeals for offside, but the assistant made the correct call.

They still require another three goals to have a chance of progression, but Young Boys will be encouraged by that early goal. It's certainly ensured that Everton won't be able to coast through to the last 16.

Everton are content to take their time when building up play but on occasions, they are putting themselves under pressure and risking a mistake in their own half. Given the success that they enjoyed when opting to go direct to Romelu Lukaku in the first leg, it's a bit baffling.

WOODWORK! Everton need to get their act together and fast. Young Boys come mightily close to moving into a 2-0 advantage through Scott Sutter, but the defender's six-yard header cannons off the underside of the crossbar and bounces clear.

SHOT! The Swiss side are building a head of steam and Yuya Kubo is the next man to try his luck, but his 20-yard strike clears the crossbar.

PENALTY TO EVERTON!

GOAL! Everton 1-1 Young Boys (Lukaku)

Hear that collective sigh on relief? That was Roberto Martinez and Everton's supporters. After Steven Naismith was taken down by goalkeeper Marco Wolfli, Romelu Lukaku stepped up to confidently slot the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

That goal should hopefully settle a few nerves inside Goodison Park. Despite their wide advantage, there has been a nervousness about Everton and they were starting to come under serious pressure as Young Boys sensed a second.

GOAL! Everton 2-1 Young Boys (Lukaku)

Surely that is game, set and match? Just like in Switzerland, the turnaround is complete. After Luke Garbutt was released down the left-hand side, the full-back crossed for Lukaku to volley home from close range. It's the Belgian's second in the space of five minutes and fifth in the tie!

That strike means that we are effectively back where we are started. Young Boys need another four goals, but they now have just 55 minutes to find them. Tall order.

RESULT! Another English team bites the dust. Liverpool have suffered a penalty-shootout defeat to Besiktas out in Turkey. After nine wonderfully-taken spot kicks, Dejan Lovren made himself the villain with an atrocious effort with the 10th effort. It looks like Everton are going to be flying the flag for the Premier League in Europe, perhaps not just in this competition too.

SAVE! Those two Lukaku strikes have given the impetus to Everton and just like the first leg (I'm saying that a lot, aren't I?), they are threatening a third. A superb flowing move ended with the ball being fed out to Kevin Mirallas, but his low shot across goal was well kept out by Marco Wolfli.

GOAL! Everton 3-1 Young Boys (Mirallas)

Just like the...no, don't worry, I will stop that now. Everton go 3-1 in front just before the break and it's a well-worked goal too. Darron Gibson was given possession on the halfway line before picking out Mirallas with a through ball, and the Belgian made no mistake in slotting the ball past Wolfli.

HALF TIME: Everton 3-1 Young Boys

The half-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and after a shaky opening 20 minutes, Everton have one foot and four toes in the last 16 of the Europa League after netting three more goals against Young Boys to take the aggregate score to 7-2.

22 shots on goal were recorded during that opening 45 minutes...22! Ridiculous. 13 of them came from Young Boys, but just two found the target. Young Boys are also leading the possession and corner count, but it's the score that counts and they are some way behind on that.

As I mentioned earlier, Liverpool have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic in bowing out of Europe. You can find a report of that encounter by clicking here.

The two teams are making their way back out. Expect Roberto Martinez to mix it up a little during this second half.

Everton get the game back underway.

Romelu Lukaku desperately wants back-to-back hat-tricks, but he fails to find the target with a low effort and header. That could be his last action of the night. It appears as though Arouna Kone is being prepared.

SUBSTITUTION! Kone has indeed come on for Lukaku, but it appears to be a little more than the Belgian being rested. He left the pitch clutching his hamstring. It would be a huge blow to the Toffees if he is forced to miss any game time.

There's a muted atmosphere inside Goodison Park but I suppose that was inevitable with the game effectively done as a contest. Young Boys are starting to throw a few men further forward and the pressure helps them earn a corner, but Tim Howard is able to come out and claim.

SAVE! Up the other end, Kevin Mirallas takes the direct approach, and after cutting inside onto his right foot, his low shot towards the near post is diverted over the crossbar by Marco Wolfli. That was more luck than judgment, I'd say.

Everton have spent the past few minutes spraying the ball with ease, effectively lulling the crowd - and almost myself - to sleep. They have a five-goal cushion, it's not really necessary!

SUBSTITUTION! Roberto Martinez makes his second change of the evening, replacing James McCarthy with Muhamed Besic. It's worth noting that Besic is a yellow card away from missing the first leg of the next tie.

You'd imagine that the final alteration will involve either Leon Osman or Tyias Browning. Osman hasn't featured for nearly three months because of injury, while Browning may benefit from another period of first-team experience.

CHANCE! Arouna Kone has scored just once in his 12 appearances for Everton, but he should have really netted his second. The ball was worked out to him on the left-hand side of the penalty area but his attempt towards the near post was comfortably saved by Marco Wolfli.

That shot has been the only significant chance of the past 15 minutes. That tells you everything that you need to know about the urgency levels of both sides.

Luke Garbutt - playing instead of Leighton Baines this evening - has looked threatening every time that he has picked up the ball in a crossing position on the left, and his latest delivery almost earns Everton a fourth goal, but it is just too strong for Kevin Mirallas who was waiting at the back post.

Darron Gibson has enjoyed a decent game for Everton tonight. He's known for his ability to pick out a pass and he's done that to good effect. On this occasion, a ball out wide from Steve Naismith, but the Scot could only fire tamely at the goalkeeper.

WOODWORK! Gibson is in the thick of the action once again when his pass finds Luke Garbutt, who diverts the ball into the path of Arouna Kone on the edge of the box. The former Wigan Athletic man opts to shoot first time but his low strike hits the post and bounces clear.

SHOT! Kevin Mirallas hasn't showed much willingness to pass the ball to his teammates tonight, but he's unlucky not to find the back of the net with a 20-yard strike from the corner of the penalty area.

SUBSTITUTION! Roberto Martinez finally makes his last change of the night, and it's Leon Osman who enters the fray in place of Steven Naismith. It should hopefully be a gentle return for the long-serving Everton man.

SHOT! Young Boys win a corner on the edge of the penalty area, but Scott Sutter can only curl the ball a yard or so over the crossbar. At this stage of the game, it was worth a go.

The draw for the next round of the competition takes place tomorrow at midway. Unlike the last round which was seeded, it's an open draw. The likes of Inter Milan, Napoli, Sevilla, Villarreal and potentially Roma are all potential opponents for the Toffees.

A terrific flick from Leon Osman plays in Arouna Kone but the forward can only lash over the crossbar from 14 yards. It wasn't a routine chance but he should have at least hit the target.

There will be just two minutes of added-on time.

FULL TIME: Everton 3-1 Young Boys

The final whistle goes on Merseyside and Everton's place in the last 16 of the Europa League has been confirmed after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Young Boys to give them a 7-2 triumph on aggregate.

The Toffees will be Great Britain's sole representatives after Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic all bowed out earlier this evening.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Many thanks for joining us and we hope that you return for the start of the next round on March 12. Goodbye for now.

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Romelu Lukaku (L) of Everton FC scores his second and Evertons third goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between BSC Young Boys on February 19, 2015
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