Castillo to the Rescue But Everton Face Uphill Struggle

Everton's reputation as the sadomasochists of Europe continues. One year on from missing two penalties against nine-man medalist Kharkiv they were again held at home in the first round of the Uefa Cup last night as woeful defending undermined their prospects against Standard Liège. As against the Ukrainians, David Moyes' side have given themselves a mammoth task of reaching the group stage.

The Belgian champions held no surprise for Everton given their impressive showing in two encounters against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers. Unfortunately for Moyes, his side's suspect resilience did not come as any shock either and Everton will have to produce their performance of the season so far to leave Liège with a place in the Uefa Cup intact.

Everton had conceded nine goals in four matches prior to the first leg of this tie, and nine minutes into their latest European expedition another defensive lapse from Joleon Lescott afforded the Belgians their first precious away goal. Lescott's game has been littered with lapses in concentration this season and he was badly caught out when the Standard captain, Steven Defour, dissected the Everton defence from midfield. Having lost the run of Wilfried Dalmat from the right, Lescott then failed to get close enough to stop the winger crossing for Dieudonne Mbokani to tap in from close range.

European qualifying rounds have proven an ordeal for Moyes in recent seasons, with eventual semi-finalists Villarreal barring his path to the 2006 Champions League, a thrashing from Dinamo Bucharest following in the Uefa Cup and medalist Kharkiv forcing Everton through a gamut of emotions at this stage last season.

Everton's defensive malaise was not confined to Lescott as Joseph Yobo also struggled and their central midfield afforded Standard's strikers too much space. Everton's response was based on perspiration, but a slick exchange between Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman created an opening for Yakubu Ayegbeni midway through the first half and the Nigerian made a difficult finish look simple.

The pattern of the game was not transformed along with the Goodison atmosphere, however. Twelve minutes later the visitors prospered again down their right flank and the full-back Marcos Camozzato raced unhindered to send another dangerous delivery low across the area. Yobo was first to the cross and, unaware that no red shirt was lurking behind him, the former Liège player succeeded only in slicing the ball beyond his goalkeeper, Tim Howard.

Everton, despite their fragile foundations at the back, swiftly rallied again and home debutant Segundo Castillo volleyed a second equalizer after Axel Witsel's clearance landed at the Ecuadorian's feet 25 yards from goal.

Everton's problems continued after the interval when Victor Anichebe appeared to suffer a serious injury moments after being refused a penalty for being clipped inside the area. The 20-year-old striker was carried off on a stretcher, his right leg heavily strapped, after he had over-run the ball and kicked Dante Bonfim's leg in an attempt to retrieve possession.