Everton secure top spot with victory at Wolfsburg

Everton came away from Germany with a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg after an entertaining battle for control of Europa League Group H.

Both sides looked to make the technical qualities of their players count to create a vibrant, end-to-end encounter that featured more goals than were eventually counted.

Ivan Perisic found the net from a corner early in the first half but his shot was ruled to be offside: a call that replays later showed to be incorrect. Everton then took the lead through Romelu Lukaku, who scored the opener after charging down the pitch in a one-man counter-attack.

Wolfsburg again had a goal disallowed from a corner in the second half as they racked up the long shots from open play, but Everton countered to score a second, with Lukaku this time playing provider to unleash Kevin Mirallas to score a one-on-one against Diego Benaglio. Substitute Ross Barkley then had a third Everton goal chalked off for offside just before full-time.

The results confirms Everton as winners of Group H, yet with Lille winning in Russia the French team could yet snatch second place. Wolfsburg will need at least a draw in their next game to ensure that they advance into the next round.

2' – CHANCE: Wolfsburg are the first team to get a sight on goal, as Ivan Perisic receives the ball on the byline as he runs into the Everton box. The Croatian attempts a powerful cross across Tim Howard's goal that almost reaches Nicklas Bendtner. However, the ball evades the Dane and goes out for a goal kick. A bright start for the hosts.

12' – CHANCE: Perisic is again a threat. Tony Hibbert completely loses track of the forward as he darts into the box to get on the end of a killer ball. Tim Howard attempts to look big and put him off and the eventual shot is fired into the side netting.

23' – OFFSIDE: A Wolfsburg corner falls to Bendtner who slips a through ball to Perisic but he is adjudged to be offside. However, on second look, Jagielka was playing him on.

53' – CHANCE: Aaron Hunt finds himself in the hole, takes a step, creates some space and fires off a shot. It's got plenty of power and menace but it screams straight into Tim Howard's waiting arms. The German is struggling to flourish given the presure being applied by Besic.

57' – OFFSIDE: Another Wolfsburg attempts goes into the net; another linesman shows his flag for offside. This time however it's the correct decision, not that the home fans care. Boos roar out around the arena.

88' – OFFSIDE: Ross Barkley finds himself free in the Wolfsburg penalty area, and chips Benaglio, but the linesman rules it out for offside. He didn't look off on first glance.

Wolfsburg had 60% of possession but recorded a total of 38 shots only seven of which were on target.

The Germans were far too wasteful given the dominance they enjoyed over the possession statistics.

TALKING POINT: Does Roberto Martinez only have eyes for the Europa League this year? With Everton up against it to gain entrance to the Champions League through the Premier League this season, some have suggested the Toffees will prioritise the Europa League as an alternative route to Europe's top table. On tonight's evidence however, it looks as though Martinez is happy to occasionally rest his key players to keep them fresh for domestic battles. Ross Barkley and Steven Naismith were absent from the starting line-up to face Wolfsburg, and Samuel Eto'o - a super sub of sorts in the league - started in the hole against the Germans.

Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg): The Croatian could hardly have done more to try and force the initiative for his side. His first half goal was ruled offside but replays showed that it should have been given. In both the first and second halves, he was at the heart of almost every counter-attack for the hosts. A performance full of menace, industry and ingenuity from the hard-working wide forward who was unfortunate to find himself on the losing side.

Wolfsburg: Benaglio (c) 6; Schafer 7, Knoche 6, Naldo 7, Vieirinha 6; Junior Malanda 6, Luis Gustavo 7; Perisic 8, Hunt 6, De Bruyne 8; Bendtner 6; Subs: Caliguri 6, Arnold 6, Olic 7.

Everton: Howard 6; Garbutt 7, Distin 6, Jagielka (c) 7, Hibbert 5; McCarthy 6, Besic 7; Mirallas 7, Eto'o 6, McGeady 6; Lukaku 8; Subs: Osman 6, Barkley 6.