Everton 0-1 Krasnodar: Toffees’ youngsters fall to narrow defeat

An experimental Everton side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Krasnodar at Goodison Park - their first loss in the competition this season.

The Toffees had already secured their progression into the last-32 of the Europa League as Group H winners, meaning they will avoid the sides dropping down from the Champions League in the knock-out phase.

But Ricardo Laborde’s calm finish on the half-hour mark proved to be too much against Roberto Martinez’s youngsters, who performed admirably throughout.

Everton started brightly with one of their few experienced campaigners coming close to the game’s opener, as Antolin Alcaraz’s header flashed agonisingly wide.

But, on a night celebrating the return of several long-term absentees, there was an early worry as Christian Atsu was forced off with a hamstring problem - the on-loan Chelsea winger was replaced by Kieran Dowell after only 11 minutes.

Arouna Kone forced a fine stop from Andrei Sinitsyn three minutes later, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring 15 minutes before the interval.

A clever run from Laborde was matched by a slick pass and the 26-year-old outwitted Joel Robles in the Everton goal, wrong-footing the Spaniard before rolling the ball home.

However, the Blues continued to probe and Luke Garbutt, who excelled throughout down the left, provided a constant threat for the hosts.

Fellow teenager Dowell had a fine effort blocked by Ragnar Sigurdsson, but the Russian outfit should have doubled their advantage on 70 minutes - Joaozinho choosing to pass rather than shoot; a real let-off for Everton.

And the hosts were unable to force an equaliser, although Martinez will be encouraged with the performances of some of Everton's rising stars in a spirited defeat.