David Moyes will be hoping that his side do not live to regret their missed chances as Everton were held to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in front of 37 000 fans who came to watch UEFA Cup football.

Unfortunately they were the more dominant team but their inability to secure a second or third goal has made this tie into a nail biter for all concerned. The Ukrainian side did make chance for themselves but not on the scale that should have caused this result. Everything seemed to be going to plan as Everton opened the scoring on 24 when McFadden found Lescott with his corner to allow the defender to head past the Metalist Kharkiv keeper Oleksandr Goryainov.

Everton continued to push forward for the second goal but became increasingly frustrated and this carried forward into the second half as do what they might the goal would not come. Everton’s luck seemed to improve on 68 when they were awarded a penalty after Lescott was brought down and in the resultant protest from the visitors they had Seweryn Gancarczyk sent off for arguing.

Andrew Johnson was the nominated penalty taker and scored at his first attempt, however the referee decided it needed to be taken again for encroachment. Metalist keeper Goryainov had no problem saving this time as he dived to the left to deny Everton. Worse was to follow as Metalist having been threatening on the counter all night took the opportunity with substitute Zeze slotting past Stefan Wessels on 78 to draw level and have the advantage of an away goal.

Both teams pushed forward and Everton were awarded another penalty as Anichebe was brought down in the visitor’s penalty area by Babych. He was to see red after picking up another yellow after having been guilty of conceding the first penalty as well. The unfortunate Johnson again took the penalty hoping to make amends for the earlier miss, only to see his shot rise over the cross bar to the frustration of over 37 000 who were watching the live football. Johnson did manage to get the ball in the net once more before the end but that was ruled out after a foul on the visitor’s keeper.