Wolfsburg vs. Everton: Lessons Learned from Europa League Game
An away win in Wolfsburg ensured Everton qualified for the Europa League knock-out stages and secured top spot in Group H all in one night.
The 2-0 scoreline achieved a double over the German side, who currently sit second in the Bundesliga.
Roberto Martinez's side started slowly and had to endure some heavy pressure from their hosts, before eventually taking the lead on 43 minutes via a counter-attack.
Romelu Lukaku was played clean through by Kevin Mirallas, and the striker overcame a poor first touch to bury his finish.
That strike ensured a similar pattern to the second half; Wolfsburg pressed for an equaliser, while the visitors constantly looked to break.
After some more near misses, Mirallas wrapped up the points on 75 minutes, converting Lukaku’s measured pass for a second breakaway goal.
A draw between Lille and FC Krasnodar ensured the Toffees had already qualified from Group H, and this win puts them on 11 points—four points ahead of Wolfsburg with just one game to play.
Here’s a look at some talking points to emerge from Thursday's contest.
Everton: Not Always Pretty but Effective
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While this was far from the kind of pass-heavy, controlled performance Martinez preaches, Everton's counter-attacking display was hugely effective.
The Toffees still attempted to construct lengthy phases of play but struggled to take much over the half-way line.
Instead, it became clear their most effective route to goal was on the break, and Martinez certainly has some ideal weapons for those scenarios.
In a similar way to last season’s 2-0 home win over Manchester United, Everton mastered the counter-attack. They risked exposing their defence by leaving bodies upfield but generally left Wolfsburg shooting from range and then struggling to track back.
Any time Mirallas and Lukaku combined, as they did for both goals, the hosts were stretched to smother the numerous threats.
Wolfsburg Simply Cannot Score (from Open Play) Against Everton
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Wolfburg's first and only two meetings with Everton have resulted in an avalanche of chances for the German side—perhaps more than the Toffees have ever conceded in their first two games with a club.
In this tie, Dieter Hecking's side hit a mammoth 38 attempts at goal, although just seven tested Tim Howard. Add that to the 27 attempts during September's clash, and Wolfsburg have racked up a colossal 65 shots in two games—or a shot every 2.7 minutes!
To put those 38 shots in context, the most attempts Everton conceded in any Premier League game last season was 25 (against Chelsea in February).
Despite this barrage of chances, Ricardo Rodriguez's free-kick is the only time Wolfsburg have breached the Toffees' defence.
In stark contrast, Everton have scored six goals from 23 attempts over the two games.
Martinez Can Rely on Luke Garbutt
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This game was deprived of two of Europe's best attacking left-backs in Leighton Baines and Rodriguez.
In Baines' absence, Martinez initially turned to an out-of-position Tony Hibbert (against West Ham) instead of Luke Garbutt, which questioned the manager's faith in the 21-year-old.
In this game, however, the left-back was selected, and he responded with an assured display, barely putting a foot wrong against some tricky opponents.
Kevin De Bruyne zeroed in on him at the start but was unable to exploit his opponent's inexperience.
The left-back was also far more prominent in attack than Hibbert was on the right, and his early corner almost resulted in a goal, as Sylvain Distin hit the bar.
Should Baines miss any more matches, Garbutt has shown he can adequately perform if called upon.
Everton's Job Done in Europe Till 2015
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It’s worth remembering Everton were seeded third in Group H, behind recent Champions League teams in Lille and Wolfsburg.
With 11 points from five unbeaten games, the Toffees deserve credit for storming to qualification as comfortable group winners.
They still have a meaningless home match against Krasnodar—which will presumably be an opportunity for some younger players—but their focus can now completely shift away from Europe until the New Year.
Martinez can look to push on from ninth place in the Premier League and return to European action having launched much more of a top-four challenge.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
