Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the second leg of the Europa League playoff tie between Hajduk Split and Everton.

After the draw for the Champions League was made earlier today, the appetite of Everton and Hajduk Split will have only been whetted as they look to claim a spot in the Europa League. The competition does not carry the same prestige as the Champions League, but it remains an important tournament for these two clubs as they look to earn some special night on the continent.

As you will probably be aware, Everton hold a considerable advantage heading into this match. Goals from Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye have put the English team firmly in control, but don't for one second think that this tie is over. Everton were indebted to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for ensuring that they did not concede an away goal on Merseyside and it could prove the difference with progress and elimination.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two teams, starting with the visitors.

EVERTON XI: Pickford, Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines, Schneiderlin, Besic, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman, Rooney

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Holgate, Jagielka, Davies, Lennon, Mirallas

Everton are weakened with the absence of Gueye, Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez through injury, but that isn't a bad starting lineup at all, is it? Gylfi Sigurdsson gets his first start since signing from Swansea City, while Wayne Rooney features in attack with Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin either side. Muhamed Besic gets a rare start in midfield, while manager Ronald Koeman has also reverted to a back four, with Cuco Martina coming in at right-back.

HAJDUK SPLIT XI: Stipica, Juranovic, Nizic, Lopez, Memolla, Gentsoglou, Radosevic, Barry, Vlasic, Said, Erceg

HAJDUK SPLIT SUBSTITUTES: Carbonieri, Kozulj, Pesic, Letica, Basic, Tudor, Kovacevic

Hajduk are in a position where they can change things up a bit from the first leg. Joan Carrillo is now able to call upon Borja Lopez - who has previously being associated with Real Madrid - in defence, while Ante Erceg starts in attack. However, there is no Franck Ohandza, who caused the Everton defence some trouble last week.

This is the second time in which Everton have found themselves on their travels across Europe. Earlier this month, they went up against MFK Ruzomberok of Slovakia and the second leg was unofficially one of the worst games I have ever watched. Koeman didn't care - his team eventually won 1-0 thanks to a late effort from Calvert-Lewin - and he won't care if they achieve the same scoreline this evening, but lessons ought to have been learnt from that display. They were too passive and failed to show a cutting edge in attack, which can be a recipe for disaster in games like these.

Staying on the Ruzomberok match, Koeman used a 3-4-1-2 formation for that game, while tonight, he opts for a 4-2-3-1. It remains to be seen whether it turns into the right move, but it means that youngsters Calvert-Lewin and Lookman are going to be required to do their fair share of defending. Everton also need to ensure that they do not leave Rooney isolated in attack or else he may as well not be in the team.

Today marks Rooney's first game in an Everton shirt since he called time on his England career. Most people will agree that it is probably the correct decision for all concerned, especially when Rooney is been given such a heavy workload by Koeman. The general belief was that Rooney would feature but not every minute, but he has started each of Everton's competitive fixtures since his return. I'm not so sure that will aid his longevity, especially in a campaign which could see Everton compete in four competitions, but the 31-year-old is certainly not going to turn the chance to play on a regular basis after not featuring every match for Manchester United.

This video doesn't do Hajduk's ground much justice. There's going to a boisterous atmosphere tonight and everyone associated with Everton will be hoping that tensions do not boil over like last week.

👍 | Warm-up time...#EFCawayday #UEL pic.twitter.com/24SQqjoHB6 — Everton (@Everton) August 24, 2017

Just after the half-hour mark last week, many of Hajduk's fans began to cause fights, rip up seats and attempt to run onto the pitch. For a while, things were extremely uncomfortable with one supposed supporter throwing a punch at an Everton steward. UEFA handed four changes to the Croatian outfit, and I am sure that there will be ramifications should there be more issues this evening. Travelling Everton fans have been advised to follow designated procedures in order to minimise the risk of trouble flaring up outside of the ground.

PREDICTION! Everton are clearly the favourites, but we do not expect this to be plain-sailing for Koeman and his players. The likelihood is that they are really going to have to battle to earn their spot in the group stages and while we think they will get over the line, Hajduk could run out winners on the night, perhaps by a 2-1 scoreline.

I was expecting to see some players in a tunnel by now. Looks like the kickoff may be slightly delayed in Split.

Ah, here they come. The fans weren't really paying attention when the clubs appeared but they are aware now. The noise decibel is only rising. Expect it to be like that for the 90 minutes.

Everton get us underway.

Good start from Everton who immediately earn a corner. It comes to nothing, however, as Besic volleys well wide from distance.

Everton are seeing a lot of the ball in these early stages and have now won a free kick in a threatening position on the right. Sigurdsson swings a good delivery towards the back post, but a foul is awarded against Keane.

Talk about good fortune for Everton and Pickford. The goalkeeper trips Erceg inside the penalty area but the assistant flags for offside. The forward was level, though. That should have been a stone-wall penalty and potentially a red card for Pickford.

It's been all Hajduk over the past few minutes. Everton have got to be careful about allowing too much pressure to come from the Croatian side because the fans will react in kind.

I've always been impressed with Lookman when watching him in an Everton shirt, but he has made a shaky start to this game. The winger is either misplacing passes or mis-controlling the ball, and it is gifting possession back to Hajduk. The home side are still having the better of proceedings.

We are yet to see much of Sigurdsson, aside from when he is standing over set pieces. He's not contributing much aside from attempting to close down passes. I'm sure he will offer a bit more creativity as we progress.

SHOT! This is a tad desperate from Erceg. He receives the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area but despite the shot not being on, he goes for it anyway and drags his effort well wide of the far post.

CHANCE! If you remember from last week, Rooney directed a header wide from a Martina cross at the start of the second half.

The pair have just put together an exact replica. Rooney should do much better.

SHOT! Barry was arguably Hajduk's best player last week and he is having an increasing influence on this game. On this occasion, however, he wastes a chance from distance, with his half-volley going into the stands.

CHANCE! This would have been some way to open your account for your new club. Calvert-Lewin's cross is only headed clear into the direction of Sigurdsson but his volley goes a couple of yards wide of the far post.

Everton have had a lot more possession over the past five minutes but they are yet to create another opportunity. That's ok for the time being but if they can just take advantage of one of the situations they are creating for themselves, they can put this tie to bed.

An end-to-end feel to this game is starting to emerge. I'm not sure who that suits! Chances are still few and far between, however, so apologies if updates are not that descriptive.

Rooney is beginning to get frustrated and at the same time, drop further back into midfield. Others will argue differently but I don't see his purpose playing as a lone striker in a match such as this. If he drops back, it only invites pressure onto the defence.

CHANCE! Another key intervention from Pickford ensures that Everton remain in control of this tie. The ball found Erceg at the back post but his placed half-volley was tipped wide of the far post. Williams was on the line but I'm not sure he is getting there.

It's game on in Croatia. Radosevic has netted an absolute screamer from 30 yards out. It goes into the centre of the goal but the swerve on the ball leaves Pickford with very little chance to keeping it out. You feel as though Everton are going to need a goal tonight. Hajduk are on the up.

The half-time whistle goes in Split and this tie is far from over. Radosevic has given his team a lot more than just hope and Split will fancy their chances of forcing extra time at an absolute minimum. Of course, Everton can change everything with a goal, but it hasn't looked like coming. Koeman has a job to do at the break.

Hajduk get us back underway.

What on earth have I just witnessed. Hajduk had kickoff but 16 seconds into the second half, Sigurdsson has sent a volley over Stipcia's head from about 50 yards out. It's outrageous. Honestly. Hajduk need three goals to stay in the competition, but everyone is stunned.

It's not, but it feels like this is over. I can't believe that Radosevic is no longer going to have scored the best goal in this match! There are still 39 minutes to go, though, so let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Hajduk are still looking to press - they have no choice but to throw caution to the wind - but Everton are holding firm for now. I'd bring off Rooney now and leave Calvert-Lewin or Mirallas in attack. There are going to be spaces to exploit.

SHOT! Wow, nearly another screamer from Radosevic. The ball is always going just wide, but the midfielder is full of confidence after his earlier effort.

There's less than half-an-hour remaining in Croatia and Everton are starting to have more joy in the Hajduk half. The home side just got away with allowing Sigurdsson to break clear down the left, with Nizic deflecting his cross into the side-netting.

MISS! Pickford is the hero! Williams brings down Erceg and it is a definite spot kick. However, Pickford guesses correctly and dives to his right to save from Ahmed Said.

CHANCE! What a chance for Calvert-Lewin. He latches onto a long ball and runs into the penalty area, but his effort is too close to Stipica.

The Hajduk fans are an unforgiving lot. Ahmed Said is being jeered every time he touches the ball. That's what you get for missing a penalty in Croatia.

BOOKING! Besic goes into the book for a needless foul in the final third. He was cautioned in the first leg, too.

SUBSTITUTION! A first change for Everton sees Tom Davies introduced for Calvert-Lewin.

We are into the final 15 minutes now and it should purely be about Everton seeing out this game. Hajduk are continuing to plough forward, but it is asking a lot for the home side to net three times.

Aaron Lennon has been introduced for Everton and he is already causing trouble for his marker down the right. It's brilliant to see the wideman back in action after his personal issues.

CHANCE! Everton should be ahead on the night. Rooney is released over the top of the defence and he should probably strike an effort towards goal with his left foot. Instead, he cut back onto his right and Stipica made the save at his near post.

I thought that Everton would focus on maintain possession at this late stage but they are still pushing for a second. I'm not sure that is wise with Chelsea coming up on Sunday. This game is done and dusted now, though. Everton will be taking part in the group stages.

There will be two minutes of added-on time.

The full-time whistle goes in Croatia and Everton have comfortably held on to seal a 1-1 draw with Hajduk Split, a result which earns the Toffees a place in the group stages for the first time in three years. Sigurdsson was the hero with a sensational 50-yard effort but it was Pickford who arguably played the biggest part in ensuring that the Premier League outfit came through this tricky tie.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.