A late Samuel Eto'o goal has rescued Everton a 1-1 draw in their Europa League meeting against FC Krasnodar this evening.
The visitors were on the back foot from the start when they were easily dispossessed in the first few minutes, leading to Mauricio Pereyra to fire in a shot from 25 yards out which stroked over the bar.
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Minutes later, Marat Izmailov got a chance to give the home side an early lead, but his shot from six yards out flew over the target after he was unable to get his footing right in time.
Krasnador continued to dominate the attack as Phil Jagielka was forced to block a volley taken by Odil Ahmedov, while Tim Howard was called into action shortly afterwards to make a one-handed save to deny Marat Izmailov's goal-bound strike.
Everton grew into the game as the half went on, forcing two quick saves from Andriy Dykan, who was able to push away a 20-yard shot from Aiden McGeady and an effort from Gareth Barry, who attempted to curl the ball past the keeper.
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Minutes later, McGeady was able to find the head of John Stones with a cross into the box, but the defender's header went wide of the target.
Despite a spell of attacking energy from the Merseyside outfit, Krasnodar began to control possession once again by pressing their opponents back into their own 18-yard box.
The Russian outfit created some nervy moments for Roberto Martinez's side, and their attacking threat eventually paid off in the closing stages of the half when Ari volleyed the ball into the corner of the net after both Jagielka and Stones failed to clear the danger.
Krasnador came close to doubling their advantage shortly after the hour through Admedov, with the ball falling nicely to the midfielder, although his effort from 12 yards out was scuffed wide.
Substitute Carneiro Wanderson was the next Bulls player to come close to adding a second following a mazy run into the opposition area, only to see his strike from a resulting rebound come back off the woodwork.
Romelu Lukaku forced Dykan into a save with 20 minutes remaining to keep Aleh Konanaw's side's lead intact, denying the striker's effort at his near post.
Everton continued to probe away as the game entered its closing stages, and they were rewarded seven minutes from time when Eto'o diverted Leighton Baines's cross beyond Dykan to level up the contest.
Toffees striker Lukaku could have won the game at the death for his side at the Kuban Stadium, but his downward header from another Baines cross was punched clear by the Krasnador stopper.
The point ensures that Everton remain unbeaten in Europe this season following on from their 4-1 victory against Wolfsburg last time out.
Daniel Lewis
