sport news

Everton's hopes of qualifying from their Europa League group have suffered a fresh setback after they were defeated again by Benfica.

The Portuguese side thrashed Everton 5-0 last month, and second-half goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardoza kept them at the Group I summit.

Everton had made an encouraging start as Marouane Fellaini tested Julio Cesar with a fizzing low effort before Yakubu blazed over the bar.

However, Benfica soon stamped their authority on proceedings and Tim Howard had to turn away Saviola's shot after Ramires' header hit the post.

The industrious Angel Di Maria forced Howard to tip over in the second half before he fed the ball into the path of Saviola (62) who calmly lashed a low drive into the corner.

Benfica then killed the match off in the 76th minute when Cardoza seized on a loose ball and shot past Howard.