Lyon vs Everton - as it happened: Toffees dumped out of Europa League by French hosts
Re-live all the action from The Groupama Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Everton travel to Lyon on Thursday night knowing that anything less than a win will see them crash out of the Europa League this season.
After three games, the Toffees have only managed to earn a single point in Group E and would need a radical turnaround in performance to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Recent form, however, gives little to be optimistic about. As well as being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Chelsea last week, two consecutive league defeats – including a 5-2 thrashing at home to Arsenal - have left the Merseyside club languishing in the relegation zone, merely four points off bottom-placed Crystal Palace.
Moreover, this run of disappointing results has been exacerbated by a context of managerial uncertainty. Following the sacking of Ronald Koeman last Monday, caretaker boss David Unsworth has done little to convince the Everton hierarchy that he is the right person for the job. Although he is likely to take charge again in Lyon, the imminent prospect of him being swapped for a more long-term replacement – most likely during the international break, which starts next Monday - will do little to settle the struggling Toffees.
Given their very slim chances of progressing in Europe, expect some squad rotation from Unsworth tonight as he seeks to rest some key players for Sunday’s league game against Watford. Schneiderlin and Baningme are likely to be paired in central midfield, whilst Cuco Martina may also replace Leighton Baines at left back.
For the hosts, eager to cement their place in the last-32 with a decisive victory over their struggling visitors and confident with a four-game winning streak coming into this match, expect a full strength XI. Although Grenier and Mendy are both sidelined with injuries, star forwards Memphis Depay and Nabil Fekir will both be aiming to inflict some pain on the Toffees.
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What time does it start?
Lyon vs Everton kicks off at 18:00
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 17:30. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for…
Gylfi Sigurdsson. The elegant Icelander is yet to justify his record £40 million price-tag yet having endured a mixed early start to the season. Not started by Unsworth against Leicester, the midfielder is likely to begin here in a No.10 role and an improved showing will help solidify a place for him in the regular starting team.
Best stat…
6. For all their struggles, the Toffees can at least take pride in playing six teenagers in the Premier League this season, two more than any other club (Ademola Lookman, Mason Holgate, Nikola Vlasic, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies and Beni Baningime). It remains to be seen, however, if Everton will win anything with these kids…
Remember when…
Ashley Williams sparked a memorable fight when these two sides met in the first leg of this double-header two weeks ago. His fervour failed, however, to stop his team slumping to a 2-1 home loss.
Player to watch…
Memphis Depay. The Dutchman is one of four ex-Manchester United players that could be involved tonight: Depay and Rafael for Lyon and Morgan Schneiderlin and Wayne Rooney for Everton. Depay, though, is the man in form. After an unfulfilling couple of seasons at the United, the winger is starting to live up to his tremendous promise, netting six and assisting three times in all competitions so far this season.
Previous meetings…
Everton 1 (Williams) Lyon 2 (Fekir, Traore), Europa League, October 2017
Form guide…
Lyon: DDWWWW
Everton: LDLLLL
Odds…
Lyon: 17/35
Everton: 11/2
Draw: 17/5
7' - Well, that's not good. Cuco Martina goes into the referee's book after another foul, this time on Maxwel Cornet on the halfway line.
10' - Lyon have been by far the better team in the opening 10 minutes without testing Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal.
The Toffees have been a little sloppy in possession and are yet to really get going here.
13' - That's Everton's best move of the match so far.
Ademola Lookman plays a slick one-two with Gylfi Sigurdsson down the left wing and finds himself in a threatening position inside the Lyon penalty area. However, there are barely any bodies for him to aim for and his low cross is cleared away.
18' - Chance! Aaron Lennon knocks a long ball down to Gylfi Sigurdsson but the Iceland international scuffs his first-time shot from the edge of the area.
Everton have grown into the game in the last five minutes or so after a slow start.
23' - Lyon right-back Rafael digs out a dangerous cross in towards Nabil Fekir at the far post but Jonjoe Kenny gets up well to head the ball behind for a corner.
Just moments later Jordan Pickford is called into action for the first time as he gets down well to save Bertrand Traore's header after a superb cross by Memphis Depay.
29' - Rafael leaves Ademola Lookman for dead with a neat spin down the right wing before finding Nabil Fekir in the penalty area. However, the French playmaker's first-time shot with his weaker right foot goes well over the crossbar.
35' - Lyon have had the better of the match so far but clear-cut chances for either team have been few and far between. Everton are yet to register a single shot on target.
36' - Aaron Lennon fouls Memphis Depay around 30 yards from goal and the Dutchman gets up to take the free-kick. His effort is straight at Jordan Pickford though and the Everton stopper parries the ball away.
37' - We've got a break in play here as Cuco Martina receives treatment after a nasty fall. He's being tended to by Everton's medical staff and the stretcher is on the pitch. Let's hope he's alright.
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