Calvert-Lewin ensures Everton Europa progress

A late strike from substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin ensured that Everton reached the Europa League play-off round by beating MFK Ruzomberok 2-0 on aggregate.

Having edged past their Slovakian opponents courtesy of a deflected Leighton Baines goal in the first leg at Goodison Park last Thursday, the Toffees knew they still had plenty of work to do to win the tie.

Although they controlled large periods of the game, Ronald Koeman's side struggled to create any real openings and in a game which will not linger long in the memory, the hosts had precious few opportunities to draw level.

The closest they came was early on when Dominik Kruzliak headed over Jordan Pickford's goal and other than that, they rarely threatened.

However, with the game at 0-0, there was always a risk of Ruzomberok levelling the tie out of the blue so when Calvert-Lewin was sent clear with nine minutes left on the clock, all connected with Everton breathed a huge sigh of relief when the forward coolly finished into the bottom corner.

Calvert-Lewin, who scored the winner as England won the under-20 World Cup last month, was razor sharp after coming on for Sandro on 70 minutes; Wayne Rooney was not.

In fairness to the former Manchester United forward, many of his new team-mates also looked short of match sharpness and at this stage of the season, all that counts is progressing to the next round and Everton ultimately, comfortably in the end, achieved their objective.

The draw for the next round of the Europa League, as well as the Champions League play-offs, takes place at 11.00am on Friday morning and you can watch it live on BT Sport3.

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