FC Dynamo Kyiv faced Everton FC away in the Europa League round of 16 first leg. The game took place at Liverpool side home arena GoodisonPark.
Considering that the White-Blues participate in three competitions Serhiy Rebrov keeps using squad rotation. There were several changes in Dynamo starting lineup comparing with the domestic league match against FC Olimpik Donetsk: Olexandr Shovkovskyi was keeping the goal instead of Olexandr Rybka, Aleksandar Dragovic replaced Mykyta Burda, Oleh Husiev played as winger as Jeremain Lens was injured and Miguel took the place of Younes Belhanda in the midfield.
It should be mentioned that turf was of good quality despite heavy rain. Kyivans started the game rather actively. They controlled the ball and eventually opened the score. Yarmolenko put a cross from the corner flag and Husiev netted the ball! The Toffees started acting tougher, but the White-Blues midfielders didn’t let them create chances. Meanwhile Mbokani, Sydorchuk and Miguel unleashed good shots on goal.
Still halfway through the first half home side seized the initiative. 39 minutes into the game Lukaku left three Dynamo defenders behind and passed to Naismith, who scored the equalizer in one-on-one situation.
After the break Everton kept applying pressure and creating good opportunities. Dynamo responded only with shots by Mbokani and Yarmolenko after which the ball went over the bar.
The key episode of the game happened 82 minutes into the match. Danilo Silva blocked the cross from right flank with his hand inside the box. Referee awarded penalty and Lukaku converted from the spot.
Dynamo have suffered narrow defeat away, but the return match is still to be played.
Europa League. Round of 16. First leg
12.03.2015. Liverpool, Goodison Park. 26,151
Everton FC – FC Dynamo Kyiv – 2:1 (1:1)
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Garbutt, Alcaraz, Jagielka, McCarthy, Barry, Barkley (Osman, 74), Lukaku, Mirallas (Kone, 64), Naismith.
Dynamo: Shovkovskyi, Silva, Vida, Antunes, Dragovic, Sydorchuk, Husiev (Kravets, 76), Buialskyi (Harmash, 67), Miguel (Chumak, 84), Yarmolenko, Mbokani.
Goals: Naismith (39), Lukaku (82, pen.) – Husiev (14).
Booked: Mirallas (16) – Mbokani (90).
On March 12 FC Dynamo Kyiv will face Everton FC away in the Europa League round of 16 first leg.
We are presenting our opponent.
Manager
On June 5 2013 Roberto Martinez took charge of Everton. He signed a four-year contract with the club and replaced David Moyes, who worked for the team successfully for 11 years (since 2002).
Martinez became the first non-British or Irish manager in the history of Everton. He comes from Catalonia. He used to play for the club called Balaguer and Real Zaragoza reserve team. Still Martinez spent the biggest part of his career in England, where he made more than hundred appearances for Wigan Athletic and SwanseaCity.
Roberto also started coaching in Britain. From 2007 till 2009 he was in charge of Swansea and from 2009 till 2013 he worked for Wigan. He helped Swansea promote to the Championship.
As for gaffer career in Wigan, it was ambiguous for Martinez. Victories against leaders interspersed with defeats by great margin. His team triumphed in the FA Cup due to win against ManchesterCity in the final (1:0), but then tumbled out of the Premier League.
Everton paid 1,5 million pounds for Martinez. His coaching staff also left Wigan and moved to GoodisonPark.
Following the results of Roberto’s first season in Everton the club finished fifth in Premier League and earned the right to feature in euro cups for the first time in four years.
On June 13 2014 Martinez prolonged his contract with the Toffees. It will be valid till 2019.
Current situation
Present-day Everton don’t lay claim to domestic title. They finished in Premier League Champions League zone only once – in 2004/2005 season. Still they failed to reach the group stage.
The Blues won their last trophy in 1995. In the FA Cup final they defeated Manchester United and then earned the FA Community Shield in the ballet against Blackburn Rovers.
Anyway Everton have been an average English team for two decades already. Still the Toffees are able to fight against leaders worthy.
Current Premier League campaign seems to be a failure for Martinez’s men. Everton are 14th in standings at the moment with 6 wins, 10 draws and 12 defeats.
Many experts state that the reason for that is participation of the team in euro cups. In the Europa League everything is fine for Everton. They suffered only one defeat at the group stage.
The round of 32 wasn’t a problem for the Blues at all. They defeated BSC Young Boys twice – 4:1 away and 3:1 at GoodisonPark.
Personalities
One of Everton key players is 21-year-old Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku, who used to feature for Chelsea, but then moved to Liverpool. He has 15 goals in 31 matches to his name. This season he’s scored six in Premier League, two in FA Cup and six in Europa League.
36-year-old American goalkeeper Tim Howard is very experienced. He joined Everton in 2006. Since then he’s irreplaceable for the team. He’s already performed 36 saves in current Europa League campaign.
Leading defenders are England internationals Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka. 30-year-old Baines was born in Liverpool. Everton is only the second club in his professional career. He often joins attacks and has three assists in the Europa League to his name this season. Still it’s questionable whether he’ll oppose Dynamo as he has just recovered from injury. Luke Garbutt can take his place.
32-year-old centre back Phil Jagielka joined Everton in 2007. He’s a team captain and has more than thirty caps to his name.
Martinez also has experienced midfielders. These are Gareth Barry, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar. Important players are also James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady. 21-year-old Ross Barkley is very promising. He’s already the first team regular.
Everton manager usually uses 4-3-3 formation with one finisher (Lukaku) and two wingers. This season these two are experienced Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas.
