THAT’S A EURO MASTERCLASS

tion is whether Everton finish top of Group H or as runnersup. Yet for one of the scorers, another poser needed to be considered.

‘We are thoroughly enjoying the European experience,’ said Jagielka. ‘We are determined to stay in the competition for as long as possible. Can we win it? Why not? Did anyone think fulham would get to the final a few years ago? No. There’s a long way to go but we are in this competition to win it.’

The issue of who finishes top will be decided in Wolfsburg on November 27 but if Everton play with the panache that helped them dismantle the first french visitors to Goodison Park, it will be theirs with a game to spare. Everton took time to find their stride. Though Romelu Lukaku had a chance after 24 seconds, when his drive beaten away by Victor Enyeama, they couldn’t build a head of steam and, for a period, there were some anxieties. Yet with Gareth Barry, James McCarthy — the game’s outstanding performer — and Naismith all involved, Everton kept the ball moving and their persistence paid off.

The breakthrough arrived just before the half-hour. It was a fine goal, too. Lukaku found McCarthy, who swiftly sent McGeady marauding down the right. McCarthy carried his run into the area but his compatriot picked out osman, who applied a thumping right-foot finish.

osman has devoted his life to Everton, squeezed every last ounce of ability from himself and always been there to do a job. It is why he has been awarded a new 12-month contract.

from the moment that drive nestled in the back of Enyeama’s net –— it was osman’s first goal since March — there was never any doubt Everton would run out authoritative winners and they doubled their advantage just before half- time thanks to Jagielka.

This was a more direct effort. McGeady’s outswinging corner found the captain at the far November 27: Krasnodar v Lille, Wolfsburg v Everton. December 11: Everton v Krasnodar, Lille v Wolfsburg. post and Jagielka stooped to guide his header beyond Lille captain Rio Mavuba.

Lille briefly threatened to make a fight of things and in the first attack of the second period, Divock origi, who will join Liverpool next summer, tried to show why Brendan Rodgers believes he is a ‘world- class talent’ with a skipping, jinking run into the area. That was to be as good as it got for Lille. Everton quickly reasserted themselves and Lukaku was denied the third goal of the evening when Enyeama plunged to his left to prevent the Belgian’s dipping free-kick nestling in the Gwladys street net.

on the hour, Everton launched another rapid break down the left, with Leighton Baines swapping passes with Lukaku before sweeping in a cross that Naismith gleefully smashed into the top corner past the helpless Enyeama.

Had they gone through the gears, there could have been more but that was a minor complaint. Everton’s grand ambitions have momentum.

‘We are a football club that is expected to win things,’ said Martinez. ‘ Europe is in our DNA. I thought we played really well. What pleased me most is every player is ready to embrace the opportunity of playing in Europe.’ A FORMER England coach has revealed that the young Wayne Rooney once shared his love of playing for his country with a self-penned poem which he read out to team-mates. Dick Bate — in charge of England for the 2002 Under 17 European Championship — revealed that Rooney stood up at the farewell meal following the team’s elimination from the tournament and recited his poem. ‘I think it took the group aback,’ he said. ‘Here was a young boy just expressing his love for England in the most succinct manner he could. I will never forget it.’ ÷ LEAGUE ONE Orient have signed 33-year-old former Liverpool and Sunderland left back Andrea Dossena until the end of the season.