Everton have put themselves in pole position to advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League after beating Dynamo Kiev 2-1 in this evening's last-16 first leg at Goodison Park.
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The visitors were quickest off the starting blocks as Vitorino Antunes breached the Toffees defence three minutes in with a dangerous low cross into their six-yard area that was frantically beaten away by Tim Howard.
Another anxious moment for the hosts' defence came in the ninth minute as a cross swung in from the left fell to Dieumerci Mbokani, who narrowly failed to connect.
Everton then found themselves behind just after the quarter-hour mark when Antolin Alcaraz's poor header went out for a corner.
The subsequent set piece was duly whipped into the box where Oleh Gusev escaped his marker at the near post and volleyed home.
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Roberto Martinez's charges weren't to end the first half a goal down, however, as Romelu Lukaku saw off two defenders in the final third before playing in Steven Naismith, who curled an effort into the bottom corner.
Following the restart, Everton came out with intent, as Alcaraz began proceedings by striking a decent effort from distance.
The hosts worked their way into the game and soon had their opponents under siege, piling forward and testing their defence time and time again.
Seamus Coleman came close with a header from Kevin Mirallas's cross midway through the second half, while Arouna Kone also threatened from close range by nodding the ball into the arms of the Dynamo goalkeeper.
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The visitors managed to push forward on several occasions though, and tested the Toffees backline through Andriy Yarmolenko, whose shot from outside the area in the 70th minute flew just over the bar.
Everton's perseverance came to fruition just eight minutes before the end when Leon Osman's low cross struck Danilo Silva's hand, prompting the referee to award the hosts a penalty.
Lukaku stepped up and coolly rolled the ball down the middle to register his seventh Europa League goal of the season and in turn become the Toffees' top European goalscorer.
Giuseppe Labellarte
