Lille vs. Everton: Score, Grades and Reaction from Europa League Game
Everton remained atop their Europa League group following a scoreless draw at French side Lille on Thursday evening at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Clear chances were scarce as the two teams cancelled each other out in what turned out to be a low-key meeting of the top two in Group H.
With the draw, Everton remain atop the group with five points from three matches. Lille, who have three points, fell to third behind Wolfsburg, who moved on to four points with a win at Krasnodar.
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Up next in Group H is a rematch, with Everton hosting Lille at Goodison Park on Nov. 6. Victory for Roberto Martinez's side would represent a decisive step toward winning the group.
In the absence of goals, perhaps the most notable development was the performance of Lille's Divock Origi, a striker on loan from Liverpool.
"Origi looks a real talent on this evidence and his performances in the World Cup.
— David Lynch (@DavidLynchMEN) October 23, 2014"
Both teams had few chances in an uneventful start.
In the 18th minute, Samuel Eto'o found space inside Lille's box after working a one-two with Steven Pienaar. But the ball became caught under the Everton striker's feet, and the chance passed.
Lille's Idrissa Gueye came close in the 26th minute, firing a shot off the outside of the post after Everton failed to clear their lines.
In the 39th minute, Lille's Ronny Rodelin tried his luck from distance, bouncing a long shot straight into the arms of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Lille started the second half as the better side, but still chances remained rare. Origi fired high and wide from 25 yards in the 53rd minute. At the other end, Eto'o directed a free-kick on goal in the 56th minute, but Vincent Enyeama saved easily.
Everton introduced Romelu Lukaku in the 64th minute in an effort to liven up the attack. Within moments, the Belgian helped create a chance, winning possession in midfield before passing dangerously to Aiden McGeady inside Lille's box. McGeady's first-time shot was on target, but Enyeama saved.
Florent Balmont played Origi through in the 71st minute, but Howard came off his line quickly to cut out the chance.
Both managers made further changes in the final quarter hour, but neither side created a clear chance until Eto'o curled a shot just wide of the post in the 89th minute.
Grades
| Vincent Enyeama | 7.0 |
| Franck Beria | 7.6 |
| Simon Kjaer | 7.4 |
| Marko Basa | 7.8 |
| Pape Souare | 7.3 |
| Florent Balmont | 7.2 |
| Rio Mavuba | 6.7 |
| Idriss Gueye | 8.6 |
| Sebastien Corchia | 6.8 |
| Divock Origi | 6.8 |
| Ronny Rodelin | 6.6 |
| Ryan Mendes (for Rodelin, 73') | 6.3 |
| Marvin Martin (for Mavuba, 86') | 6.0 |
| Tim Howard | 6.9 |
| Tony Hibbert | 6.7 |
| Phil Jagielka | 8.1 |
| Sylvain Distin | 7.5 |
| Leighton Baines | 6.8 |
| Muhamed Besic | 6.6 |
| Gareth Barry | 6.9 |
| Aiden McGeady | 6.5 |
| Ross Barkley | 6.9 |
| Steven Pienaar | 6.1 |
| Samuel Eto'o | 7.0 |
| Romelu Lukaku (for Pienaar, 64') | 6.1 |
| Christian Atsu (for McGeady, 82') | 6.0 |
| James McCarthy (for Barkley, 90') | No rating |
Reaction
Everton manager Roberto Martinez (via EvertonFC.com):
"I thought the condition of the pitch didn’t help either team to be as brilliant as you can be on the ball," said the Blues boss. "The pitch was heavy and wasn’t a sharp passing pitch.
With a better pitch we would have seen more brilliant attacking football from both sides. In that respect, maybe we didn’t create as much as we wanted, but you have to give credit to Lille for the way they defended.
We did penetrate and get in good positions but, all in all, it was a fair result and it was a game where two teams tried to win but both teams also had huge respect for each other, and I think that showed in the final scoreline
"
