Everton’s Europa League Wolfsburg win encouraging for Martinez

Everton exhibited everything good about their approach under Roberto Martinez, as they kicked off their Europa League campaign with a stylish win over Wolfsburg.

The Toffees, who are 20/1 chances with Coral to lift the trophy, were on target at key times, while the visitors to Goodison Park only started playing when they were 3-0 down. England left back Leighton Baines had a hand in all those goals, including scoring from the spot to give the Gwladys Street End something to celebrate.

While London clubs went winless in Europe this midweek, the return of respective continental competitions to Merseyside was wholeheartedly more successful. If anything, Everton outdid Liverpool’s lucky victory in Bulgaria over Ludogorets Razgrad here.

Martinez’s men led inside a quarter of an hour, as in-form Steven Naismith’s shot deflected in off Swiss stopper Diego Bengalio, who curiously opted to retire from international football following the World Cup aged just 30, and compatriot Ricardo Rodriguez. The latter scored a stoppage time consolation free kick with the last action of the game.

On this evidence, Wolfsburg captain and number one Benaglio made the right choice to quit representing his country. He was at fault as the visitors fell further behind before half time, when he cheaply parried Kevin Mirallas’ shot into the path of Baines, who squared for fellow full back Seamus Coleman to head into the far corner.

Victory was assured almost immediately after the break when Aiden McGeady won a penalty, which the German media will argue was contentious. Initial contact was outside the area, but Baines duly dispatched from a dozen yards. This perceived injustice jolted Wolfsburg into life, as Croatia’s warhorse Ivica Olic was among those in opposition ranks to work Tim Howard.

Former Arsenal flop Nicklas Bendtner came off the bench, but the Dane’s main contribution was to elicit a chorus of whistles, jeers and boos from home fans. Young Maximilian Arnold playing off the front offered more, while Aaron Hunt – another substitute – should perhaps have started as his creativity posed the Toffees some problems.

All came too late, however, despite Howard’s string of fine saves. Wolfsburg found the American in their way, with Everton content to sit on their three-goal lead and spring on the counter. There was even room to give midfielder Darron Gibson a first outing off the bench after almost a year out injured, and Mirallas capped the win when fed by sub Samuel Eto’o.