Europa League 09/10: Everton, Fulham beaten and round-up

Everton were again outclassed by Benfica as David Moyes’ side went down 2-0 at Goodison Park in the Europa League.

After beating the Toffees 5-0 in Portugal a fortnight ago, Benfica turned on the style in the second period and deservedly won through Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo strikes.

The visitors almost took the lead near the end of the first half when Ramires’ header hit the post before Tim Howard made a great reaction save to deny Saviola on the rebound.

But Saviola put the visitors in front on 63 minutes, slotting home into the bottom left-hand corner after a fine passing move by the Portuguese side.

Fulham’s battling performance at the Stadio Olimpico went without reward as the nine men crashed to a 2-1 defeat by Roma in Europa League E.

The Premier League side held a half-time lead thanks to Diomansy Kamara’s penalty, but the dismissal of Erik Nevland let Roma back into the contest.

John Arne Riise levelled for the Italian giants, with a little help from his brother, and Stefano Okaka Chuka secured the win before Paul Konchesky was sent off late on.

Villarreal boosted their prospects of qualifying from Group G by thrashing Lazio, while Red Bull Salzburg are on the brink of the last 32 of the Europa League.

A tasty encounter at El Madrigal saw Villarreal crush Lazio 4-1, with Robert Pires on target twice and both sides having a man sent off in the first half.

Franz Schiemer scored an injury-time goal as Salzburg won 1-0 away to 10-man Levski Sofia to maintain their 100 per cent record in the group.

Levski were down to 10 men on 62 minutes when Georgi Sarmov was sent off for hauling down Dusan Svento following a mistake by goalkeeper Georgi Petkov.

Shakhtar Donetsk are through to the knockout phase of the Europa League and Club Brugge are favourites to join them in qualifying from Group J.

Last season’s Uefa Cup winners Shakhtar maintained their 100 per cent record in the group after a 2-0 success at Toulouse.

Rostand Kouemaha scored a goal in each half as Club Brugge won 4-2 at Partizan Belgrade, who have yet to pick up a point.

Brugge’s early pressure paid off after 28 minutes when Michael Klukowski’s cross was converted from close range by Ivan Perisic.

Fenerbahce go top of Group H with a 3-1 win against Romanian opponents Steaua Bucharest in Turkey.

Bucharest remain rooted to the bottom of the group table, with Steve McClaren’s Dutch side FC Twente dispatching of FC Sheriff - the final score 2-1 in Holland.

Werder Bremen go three points clear and qualify from Group L after a 2-0 win over Austria Vienna in Germany.

Athletic Bilbao remain in second place, comfortably five points ahead of Portuguese side Nacional, although they were held to a 1-1 draw by the third-place outfit.