Lyon vs Everton - as it happened: Toffees dumped out of Europa League by French hosts

Re-live all the action from The Groupama Stadium

(Getty)

Everton travel to Lyon on Thursday night knowing that anything less than a win will see them crash out of the Europa League this season.

After three games, the Toffees have only managed to earn a single point in Group E and would need a radical turnaround in performance to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Recent form, however, gives little to be optimistic about. As well as being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Chelsea last week, two consecutive league defeats – including a 5-2 thrashing at home to Arsenal - have left the Merseyside club languishing in the relegation zone, merely four points off bottom-placed Crystal Palace.

Moreover, this run of disappointing results has been exacerbated by a context of managerial uncertainty. Following the sacking of Ronald Koeman last Monday, caretaker boss David Unsworth has done little to convince the Everton hierarchy that he is the right person for the job. Although he is likely to take charge again in Lyon, the imminent prospect of him being swapped for a more long-term replacement – most likely during the international break, which starts next Monday - will do little to settle the struggling Toffees.

Given their very slim chances of progressing in Europe, expect some squad rotation from Unsworth tonight as he seeks to rest some key players for Sunday’s league game against Watford. Schneiderlin and Baningme are likely to be paired in central midfield, whilst Cuco Martina may also replace Leighton Baines at left back.

For the hosts, eager to cement their place in the last-32 with a decisive victory over their struggling visitors and confident with a four-game winning streak coming into this match, expect a full strength XI. Although Grenier and Mendy are both sidelined with injuries, star forwards Memphis Depay and Nabil Fekir will both be aiming to inflict some pain on the Toffees.

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What time does it start?

Lyon vs Everton kicks off at 18:00

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 17:30. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.

It’s a big game for…

Gylfi Sigurdsson. The elegant Icelander is yet to justify his record £40 million price-tag yet having endured a mixed early start to the season. Not started by Unsworth against Leicester, the midfielder is likely to begin here in a No.10 role and an improved showing will help solidify a place for him in the regular starting team.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has yet to offer much for Everton (Getty)

Best stat…

6. For all their struggles, the Toffees can at least take pride in playing six teenagers in the Premier League this season, two more than any other club (Ademola Lookman, Mason Holgate, Nikola Vlasic, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies and Beni Baningime). It remains to be seen, however, if Everton will win anything with these kids…

Remember when…

Ashley Williams sparked a memorable fight when these two sides met in the first leg of this double-header two weeks ago. His fervour failed, however, to stop his team slumping to a 2-1 home loss.

Player to watch…

Memphis Depay. The Dutchman is one of four ex-Manchester United players that could be involved tonight: Depay and Rafael for Lyon and Morgan Schneiderlin and Wayne Rooney for Everton. Depay, though, is the man in form. After an unfulfilling couple of seasons at the United, the winger is starting to live up to his tremendous promise, netting six and assisting three times in all competitions so far this season.

Depay is one to watch this evening (Getty)

Previous meetings…

Everton 1 (Williams) Lyon 2 (Fekir, Traore), Europa League, October 2017

Form guide…

Lyon: DDWWWW

Everton: LDLLLL

Odds…

Lyon: 17/35

Everton: 11/2

Draw: 17/5

[2 November 2017 17:14 · Liam Corless]

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of tonight's Europa League action.

First up at 6pm is Lyon vs Everton, before Arsenal host Red Star Belgrade in an 8.05pm kick-off at the Emirates.

Don't go anywhere!

[2 November 2017 17:17 · Liam Corless]

Lyon vs Everton team news

[2 November 2017 17:27 · Liam Corless]

Unsworth: I need wins to get permanent job

David Unsworth has tasted defeat in his first two matches in interim charge of Everton but the former Toffees defender believes he will have a chance of getting the job permanently if he can get a win tonight and against Watford on Sunday.

Earlier this week he said: "Do I need to win the next two games? Probably.

"You have to get results, so we need to start winning. But that doesn't scare me.

"I've not looked at the other names linked (with the manager's position) but whoever has been linked with the job, it won't surprise me because this is a wonderful club."

[2 November 2017 17:35 · Liam Corless]

Keown: Everton won't get the result they want tonight

"It doesn't get much worse. I thought there was a slight improvement under Unsworth against Chelsea in the League Cup even though they lost.

"He (Unsworth) is under huge pressure, he's very ambitious. He wants the job but I don't think he'll get it.

"I think it's too much to ask to get a result here."

Quotes from BT Sport

[2 November 2017 17:37 · Liam Corless]

Unsworth explains his team selection

The Toffees' interim boss is without a number of first-team regulars in France tonight.

"The players who have been left behind have played a lot of football recently.

"It's a great opportunity for the lads who haven't been playing. We took that decision collectively and we think it's the right decision."

Quotes from BT Sport

[2 November 2017 17:40 · Liam Corless]

Can they end their run of poor form tonight?

[2 November 2017 17:49 · Liam Corless]

Everton vs Lyon - tale of the tape

The two teams go into tonight's match in rather contrasting form. 

Lyon have won their last four in all competitions and have lost just once all season - away to Paris Saint-Germain in mid-September.

Everton, on the other hand, have won just two of their last 16 matches in all competitions and are currently on a run of eight games without a victory.

[2 November 2017 17:56 · Liam Corless]

The players are in the tunnel at Lyon's Groupama Stadium. Kick-off is just moments away!

[2 November 2017 18:01 · Liam Corless]

1' - We are underway in France.

[2 November 2017 18:07 · Liam Corless]

4' - Cuco Martina gives an early free-kick away for a foul on Nabil Fekir around 30 yards from goal. Memphis Depay takes it but his cross has a little too much on it for Mouctar Diakhaby at the far post and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.