Moyes Laments Fragile Defence As Everton Face Uphill Struggle

The aim was to increase their European workload but Everton only enhanced a reputation as the sadomasochists of the Uefa Cup last night. One year after missing two penalties against the nine men of medalist Kharkiv, David Moyes' side gave themselves another mammoth task to reach the group stage after exposing their fragile defence to Standard Liège. Having watched their Champions League dream die on Merseyside three weeks ago, the Belgians were in no mood to waste the invitation.

Laszlo Boloni's impressive side held no surprises for Moyes after their recent close encounters with Liverpool. Unfortunately for the Everton manager, neither did his side's abject defending. The rearguard upon which was built a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season has disintegrated this term and now represents a liability that could fatally undermine Everton's aspirations in this competition.

Joseph Yobo had revealed he owed his former club a debt of gratitude on the eve of the game and obliged with a calamitous own-goal. "The second goal was a big present for us," said Boloni. But it was the latest error-strewn performance by Joleon Lescott which aided Liège, undermined Everton's response, could have resulted in a stoppage-time penalty and may yet cost the England international his place.

"We are going to have to do it the hard way again if we are going to get through," said Moyes, whose side triumphed 3-2 in Kharkiv after being held 1-1 at home in the first round last season. "The defending was poor again. Joleon is in a situation at present where he's having one good game, one not so good game, and it is important for us to keep giving him confidence." He added that "I need to make a decision" on whether to leave Lescott out.

Lescott's latest lapse in concentration enabled Wilfried Dalmat to collect Steven Defour's threaded ball through the Everton defence and cross unchallenged for Dieudonné Mbokani to convert from close range after nine minutes.

Standard threatened with every foray in the first half but a slick exchange between Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman enabled Yakubu Ayegbeni to bring Everton back into the contest with a finish that looked far simpler than it was.

The pattern of the game was not transformed along with the Goodison Park atmosphere, however. Standard again prospered down Lescott's flank and, although Yobo was first to meet Marcos Camozzato's low cross, he miscued his clearance beyond Tim Howard in the Everton goal despite being under little pressure from the men in red.

Everton rallied again and the home debutant Segundo Castillo volleyed a second equalizer from 25 yards. Moyes' problems continued when Victor Anichebe was stretchered off with what initially appeared a serious leg injury. "I'm hearing mixed messages but I don't think it is as bad as it looked," said Moyes. Everton's second-half display, save for a stoppage-time trip by Lescott on Dalmat which went unpunished, offered encouragement to Moyes. Their inability to keep a clean sheet, however, is giving him nightmares.