Toffees tonic amid trouble
Hajduk fans hurl seats as Everton shine
THe latest chapter of the everton revolution was not televised after broadcasters decided against snapping up the rights to this europa League play-off.
they may have missed a trick, as the hosts put themselves in prime position to make the tournament proper with a comfortable victory in an entertaining affair held up briefly by crowd trouble.
First-half goals from Michael Keane and idrissa gueye ensured everton take a healthy lead to next week’s second leg in Croatia.
Wayne rooney marked his homecoming with the only goal of the premier League opener against stoke. Bathed in sunshine at kick-off, as summer staged a revival on Merseyside, the prodigal son appears to be doing likewise.
He was bright in the first half and almost repeated the trick on six minutes when he headed a Kevin Mirallas corner wide.
not long after, the former Manchester united man volleyed Cuco Martina’s cross into the crowd and punched the turf in disgust.
the clash came too early for gylfi sigurdsson, everton’s club-record £45million signing from swansea City, brought in to create more of those chances.
sigurdsson’s arrival was announced on Wednesday, with manager ronald Koeman hailing the spark that the icelandic playmaker, who was introduced to the crowd before the match, will bring to the ranks and describing him as one of the best players in his position in the league.
there was evidence here that he will be needed as everton toiled to break down the visitors’ well-drilled defence until Keane opened his account for the club on the half-hour mark.
He rose at the back post to nod in Leighton Baines’ enticing cross from close range.
the goal sparked an outbreak of trouble, with visiting fans launching their chairs at home supporters and unsuccessfully attempting to break lines of police and stewards to fight.
the game was halted for four minutes while order was restored.
outsiders may think everton can do without the aggravation of the europa League. But Koeman is having none of that. the Dutchman wants his side to progress as far as possible.
in the previous round, he sent out close to his first Xi in both legs and did similar here.
on 45 minutes, gueye doubled the lead, latching on to rooney’s cute pass and slotting home with a neat finish — before the provider was denied by a smart save from Dante stipica.
While everton have spent the thick end of £135m, their opponents had shelled out the princely sum of £230,000 and, at times in a lopsided first half, it showed.
Following the break, the game of attack versus defence continued, with rooney again going close before a late rally from the visitors threatened to take the shine off a decent performance.
new signing Jordan pickford was called into action twice to preserve another clean sheet.
the evening was also notable for the inclusion of aaron Lennon on the everton bench.
the former Leeds united man was detained under the Mental Health act in april but returned for pre-season training. Lennon’s last appearance was in February and it is to be hoped his next one is not far off. EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines; Schneiderlin (Davies 46), Gueye; Mirallas (Besic 76), Klaassen (Calvert-Lewin 62), Lookman; Rooney. Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Lennon, Holgate. Booked: Schneiderlin. HAJDUK SPLIT (4-3-3): Stipica; Juranovic, Nizic, Carbonieri, Memolla; Gentsoglou (Basic 85), Radosevic, Barry; Vlasic, Ohandza (Said 66), Kozulj (Erceg 66). Subs not used: Letica, Bosancic, Sehic, Tudor. Booked: Memolla. Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia). Man of the match: Michael Keane.