Anichebe Cameo Drives Everton Ahead

Southern Germany proved a fertile breeding ground for English clubs in Europe last night as Everton secured their place at the summit of Group A with a late victory over Nuremberg.

David Moyes' team had appeared set for the second creditable draw in the region, following on from Bolton's outstanding result in Munich, until the 82nd minute when Mikel Arteta struck from the penalty spot. The decision was irrefutable, coming when Glauber hauled substitute Victor Anichebe to the floor and so was the Spaniard's spot-kick, sending Nuremberg keeper Jaromir Blazek the wrong way and Everton above Zenit St Petersburg in the table. Seven minutes later Anichebe delivered his own solo strike and the knock-out stages now surely beckon for a team that is learning fast in Europe this season

Nuremberg had not won a European home tie since 1963, while their Bundesliga campaign has produced just two victories thus far, and Everton so nearly compounded the insecurities of their hosts by threatening a lead after only 24 seconds. The tone for a productive night down the German left was established from kick off when Leon Osman released Mikel Arteta and the Spaniard's fierce drive was pushed into the air by Blazek. Ever alert to opportunity inside the area, Tim Cahill stretched for the rebound at the far post but Blazek touched the midfielder's shot on to his post and the home side found the reprieve their fragile confidence needed.

Oddly, each near miss brought sections of the home stands to their feet in frustration. Odder still, most had Scouse accents. Officially 2500 Evertonians were inside the stadium but despite Uefa ordering Nuremberg to cancel tickets they had sold direct to 1,500 people with English addresses, thousands more gained entry regardless.

Nuremberg rallied from their ponderous start and fashioned the clearer chances as the contest wore on. Howard beat away two angled drives from Dominik Reinhardt, smothered well from Ivan Saenko and foiled Marek Mintal at the start of the second half, while Peer Kluge squandered a glorious chance late on.