Rooney scores, Everton still held to a draw by 10 men

The Merseyside team showed that they are not out of the crisis yet when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Apollon Limassol at Goodison Park.

Yuste scored the final goal to make it 2-2 late in the match. Photo: Reuters.

Goals: Rooney 21', Vlasic 66' - Sardinero Corpa 12', Roberge red card 86', Yuste Canton 88'

Everton have just won two consecutive victories against Sunderland in the League Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League. Coach Koeman's team has the opportunity to extend their winning streak to three matches when playing at home and only have to face the less famous opponent Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.

Everton were still leading by 88 minutes and had an extra man after Valentin Roberge had been sent off just two minutes earlier, but a header from Hector Yuste saw the hosts leave the pitch with a point and boos from the Goodison Park stands.

In the 12th minute, the visitors poured cold water on Everton with the opening goal by Adrian Sardinero Corpa. Center back Ashley Williams was the one who made the mistake with a weak clearance, allowing Anton Maglica to cross the ball inside for Corpa to head.

Everton were rewarded later when a mistake from the Apollon defence saw defender Yuste pass back unchecked and send the ball into the path of the goalkeeper, setting up one of the easiest goals of Rooney's career. It was Rooney's 40th goal in European competition, including 34 in the Champions League and six in the Europa League, but his first for Everton.

Rooney was disappointed after the match ended despite scoring Everton's first goal in the European Cup. Photo: Reuters.

Everton took the lead in the second half when Gylfi Sigurdsson's pass found Nikola Vlasic, who scored his first goal for Everton. The home side's advantage was extended in the 86th minute when Roberge was sent off for a violent tackle from behind on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But Yuste made amends in a matter of seconds with a header for Apollon.

Speaking after the match, coach Ronald Koeman could not hide his disappointment and criticized his players for being "afraid to bring the ball up". However, the Dutch coach also made a confusing decision in this match. Koeman surprisingly used Sandro Ramirez as a center forward instead of Oumar Niasse, who had just scored a double to help Everton win 2-1 against Bournemouth. Sandro had gone eight consecutive matches without scoring and showed a lack of confidence in front of the opponent's goal.

The draw with Apollon leaves Everton bottom of Group E. Leaders Atalanta now have four points after drawing 1-1 with Lyon in their last game. Lyon and Apollon are on two points each.

According to VNE