Everton vs. Krasnodar: Score, Grades and Reaction from Europa League Game
An inexperienced Everton side finished the UEFA Europa League group stage with a 1-0 defeat at home to Krasnodar on Thursday at Goodison Park.
Having already secured top spot in Group H, Everton manager Roberto Martinez selected an unfamiliar side full of youth. Krasnodar took advantage, scoring the only goal in the 30th minute through Ricardo Laborde.
Following the defeat, Everton finished group play with 11 points through six matches, enough for first place in Group H. The Toffees will enter the draw for the knockout stage as a seeded team.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
After collecting their first win of the competition, Krasnodar moved above Lille to finish third in the group with six points.
While the defeat will not satisfy Everton or Martinez, the manager used Thursday's match to evaluate some of his younger players. Left-back Luke Garbutt was particularly impressive, supplying a number of good crosses in the attacking third. Local boys Tyias Browning, Conor McAleny and Ryan Ledson also made the starting lineup.
The hosts created a first chance in the 10th minute, as Antolin Alcaraz headed wide from a corner.
Everton were forced into a change in the 11th minute, when Christian Atsu, making a rare start, limped off with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by 17-year-old Kieran Dowell.
Seven minutes later, Wanderson broke free on the right for Krasnodar. Wanderson hit his shot on target at the near post, but Toffees goalkeeper Joel Robles saved with his face after the ball passed through his hands.
The visitors made the breakthrough in the 30th minute following an error by Robles. Marat Izmailov opened up the Everton defence with a pass over the top, allowing Laborde to run on. Robles came off his line in an attempt to snuff out the danger, but Laborde took the ball wide and curled into the open net as Robles moved to block a potential cross.
Trailing by a goal at half-time, Everton began to show signs of life early in the second half. Arouna Kone forced Krasnodar goalkeeper Andrei Sinitsyn into a save in the 50th minute, then Bryan Oviedo deflected a cross on target five minutes later.
In the 64th minute, Krasnodar's Ragnar Sigurdsson made a crucial sliding intervention to block a shot in the box by Dowell. Three minutes later, Steven Pienaar found space on the left and shot low at Sinitsyn, who saved easily.
Krasnodar nearly doubled their lead in the 73rd minute. After receiving a pass in the box, Izmailov cut to his right before shooting just wide of the far post.
Kone headed over from a Garbutt free-kick in the 82nd minute, as Everton continued to search for an equaliser. The goal never came, though, and Everton finished off group play with their first defeat of the competition.
Up next for Everton is a Premier League home match against Queens Park Rangers on Monday. Currently in 12th place following a disappointing start to the domestic season, Martinez's side will hope to improve their position during the busy holiday season.
Grades
| Joel Robles | 5.6 |
| Tyias Browning | 6.8 |
| Antolin Alcaraz | 7.3 |
| Gareth Barry | 7.9 |
| Luke Garbutt | 7.5 |
| Christian Atsu | No Rating |
| Ryan Ledson | 6.1 |
| Bryan Oviedo | 6.9 |
| Steven Pienaar | 6.9 |
| Conor McAleny | 6.2 |
| Arouna Kone | 6.6 |
| Kieran Dowell (for Atsu, 11') | 6.3 |
| Chris Long (for McAleny, 80') | 6.0 |
| Gethin Jones (for Browning, 90') | No rating |
Reaction
