Everton 2 - 1 Sporting
Posted Wednesday, February 17, 2010 by BBC.com
Veloso's late strike gave Sporting a crucial away goal going into the second leg
Miguel Veloso's late penalty took the gloss off Everton's victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.
Steven Pienaar marked his 100th game for the club with a fine left-footed finish after a clever backheel from the inspirational Tim Cahill.
Sylvain Distin's tap-in from a corner appeared to put the Toffees in control of the round of 32 first-leg tie.
But Distin was sent off for upending Liedson inside the box and Veloso calmly slotted home an away goal.
The late strike changed the complexion of the tie and left Everton boss David Moyes rueing his side's inability to score the third goal that would have put them in command going into next Thursday's second leg in the Portuguese capital.
It had been a mixed build-up to the match for Moyes and Everton.
Joy at last week's 2-1 victory over Chelsea was dampened by dismay over the tea-time kick-off and the pre-match news that midfielder Marouane Fellaini requires an operation on his injured ankle and will be out for six months.
The early kick-off meant an attendance below 30,000 and a somewhat flat atmosphere as fans absorbed their latest injury blow - the loss of Fellaini coming just when their other playmaker Mikel Arteta is back from his own long-term lay-off.
The Toffees carved the game's first opening as Louis Saha exchanged passes with Cahill and fired a shot which was smothered by Rui Patricio, and the Sporting goalkeeper was alert enough to block Leon Osman's follow-up effort.
Moments later, a Leighton Baines corner found Cahill unmarked, but the Australian's header flashed across the face of goal.
Sporting, languishing in fourth place in the Portuguese League, 21 points behind leaders Benfica, looked confident in possession but struggled to get behind the Everton defence.
Right-winger Abel tried his luck from long-range and saw his rasping shot whistle past the post.
Everton threatened again when a fine long ball from Baines put Landon Donovan beyond the last defender, but his attempt to lob the keeper was badly miscued.
The American's profligacy was soon forgotten as Everton crafted a superb opening goal.
An incisive pass by Phil Neville found Cahill inside the box. The Australian's brilliantly inventive backheel was straight into the path of Pienaar, who slid and scooped the ball into the top corner.
Sporting responded to going behind with their strongest spell of the half.
First, Pedro Mendes's low shot from the edge of the area drew a sharp save from Tim Howard, and then Maret Izmailov crashed a shot against the near post.
Everton could have extended their lead before the break, when Saha met a Baines free-kick but planted his header well over the bar.
The home side grabbed a controversial second shortly after the break when a Baines corner floated over a crowd of players to leave the unmarked Distin with a straightforward tap-in.
But Sporting were incensed that the referee failed to penalise Cahill for impeding Patricio as they jumped together.
Cahill was forced to leave the field after an hour, when he pulled up after making a run into the box.
His replacement, Yakubu, almost made it 3-0 when he outpaced the defence and curled a low shot towards the far corner, which Patricio did well to save at full stretch.
Saha had another effort saved before the moment which transformed the mood inside Goodison Park when substitute Jack Rodwell's overhit pass was miscontrolled by Distin, allowing Liedson to break clear.
Just as the Brazilian-born striker shaped to shoot, he was brought down by Distin, leaving the referee no option but to give a penalty and show the Frenchman a red card.
Veloso's strike sent Howard the wrong way, leaving Everton's deflated players reflecting on a missed opportunity to put themselves on the brink of the last 16.
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Everton boss David Moyes:
"We are disappointed we have not seen the job through, which we should have done.
"We gave Sporting an opportunity when it looked as though they might not have one.
"We did enough to be 2-0 in front and I did not see a goal coming. But it was not to be. It keeps the game alive."
Sporting Lisbon coach Carlos Carvalhal:
"Hopefully we can complete the job with the help of our marvellous supporters.
"I wish the game had gone on longer as we were making it difficult for Everton. Some of our football was almost perfect.
"I did not think we deserved to be behind at half-time and I have to dispute their second goal as there was a handball."
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