Metalist v Everton

Everton moved into the Uefa Cup group stage after a dramatic match in Kharkiv.

The Toffees twice fell behind but showed superb strength of character to fight back and earn a splendid victory.

Metalist posted early intentions when Lacha Dgacobiya was denied a clear shot at goal in only the 2nd minute by a perfectly timed challenge from Alan Stubbs, making his European bow as an Everton player.

Joleon Lescott celebrates his goal

Tim Howard was undoubtedly the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first period as the home side, urged on by a tremendously vociferous following inside the three-sided stadium, took the game to Everton.

Before the Metalist goal the Blues keeper saved well to deny Lacha Dgacobiya and the striker also fired over the crossbar as Everton were forced onto the first-half backfoot.

The Ukrainians took the lead in the 23rd minute when Edmar found space inside the box and stroked a cool finish past Howard.

The first effort Everton could muster came just before the half-hour when the lively James McFadden pulled a low shot wide of the mark.

Then Leon Osman came within a whisker of converting a centre from the left by Steven Pienaar as The Toffees pressed forward in search of a priceless leveller.

McFadden was a thorn in the home side and he wasn’t too far away with a shot from the edge of the penalty area just before the break.

But it was the home side that came even closer when Valentyn Sliusar’s fierce strike fizzed past Howard’s right-hand post.

James McFadden is denied by the Kharkiv goalkeeper

Everton got just the start they wanted in the second half when Joleon Lescott poached his 5th goal of the season when he turned a cross-shot from Pienaar into the net.

Parity was restored for just three minutes though.

Once again Metalist were given too much time and space in and around the box and after Dgacobiya hit the post, Hicham Mahdoufi drilled home the rebound.

Everton carved open the home defence in the 72nd minute with some wonderful passing and movement but McFadden was thwarted by the keeper at the end of it.

Pienaar then tried his luck from distance and was somewhat unfortunate to see the effort deflected just over.

The second equaliser was thoroughly deserved for McFadden, who had worked tirelessly for the Blue cause.

Mikel Arteta in action for te Blues in Kharkiv

Again the approach play was good and this time the in-form Scot picked his spot beautifully, guiding his shot wide of the keeper and just inside the post.

For the first time on the night, Everton were in pole position and Metalist needed to score to progress.

Marko Devic almost obliged but Howard was down smartly to save.

The nerves were finally soothed in the closing minutes when substitute Victor Anichebe did superbly well to round the keeper, shrug off a defensive challenge and then blast Everton into a 3-2 lead.

That was sufficient to ignite the celebrations amongst the truly magnificent travelling Everton supporters and it was very much a case of job-done in the Ukraine for David Moyes and his players.