Europa League: Everton beat Wolfsburg 2-0, top group and advance to Round of 32
Berlin, Nov 28 Everton wrapped up the first place in UEFA Europa League Group H as they defeated Wolfsburg 2-0 at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg second loss against Everton meant that the "Wolves" will have to avoid a defeat against OSC Lille in the final group encounter to book their place for the round of 32.
The "Wolves" dictated the pace against Everton on home soil. Yet, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas stunned the hosts with clinical strikes.
The hosts took over control with the kick-off, as they knew one point would be enough to ensure the next round berth. Thus, Wolfsburg's Ivan Perisic wasted no time to threaten Everton as the Croatian international came close twice within 12 minutes into the game.
Everton nearly shocked the hosts when Sylvian Distin headed the first chance to the woodwork. Wolfsburg remained unimpressed and continued to press for the opener.
Perisic rewarded the hosts at the 22nd minute when he poked home a combination via Kevin de Bruyne and Niklas Bendtner. However, his goal was denied due to an offside position.
The hosts tried their best but neither De Bruyne nor Vierinha were able to overcome Everton's goalkeeper Tim Howard. Despite being the more passive team, Everton managed to break the deadlock through Romelu Lukaku, who flabbergasted the hosts two minutes before the break following a counterattack.
Resilient Wolfsburg increased the pressure in the second half but they remained goalless as the referee ruled Perisic's header offside in the 57th minute. Dieter Hecking's men continued to work out opportunities yet they lacked in penetration.
Meanwhile, Everton underlined their clinical performance when they put the result beyond doubt in the 75th minute as Lukaku assisted Mirallas on a counterattack to beat Wolfsburg's goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
The second goal by Everton took the wind out of Wolfsburg's sails.
With the third win in group H Everton clinch the first spot with 11 points, followed by Wolfsburg with seven points, LOSC Lille with four points and Krasnodar with three points.