Moyes upbeat after Benfica lesson

Moyes struggles to see how the plan would work (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton manager David Moyes is determined his side will get back on track in the Europa League after back-to-back defeats by Benfica.

Qualification for the knock-out stage is still in their hands but the meeting in Greece next month against AEK Athens could hold the key.

Second-half goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo saw Benfica cement their place at the top of the table last night.

Moyes remain quietly confident of making progress and said: "I would like to think so. There are some tough games coming up but we never thought the group would be easy.

"This is a long competition with lots of teams in it and others coming in later."

Everton had the majority of possession in the first half but got a taste of what was to come in the 43rd minute when Cardozo's header came back off the post.

Benfica stepped up the pace and Angel Di Maria squandered a great chance before the midfielder set up Saviola for a clinical finish in the 63rd minute.

Cardozo sealed the points 13 minutes later with a volley from an acute angle after Tony Hibbert had failed to close him down.

Moyes said: "Benfica broke quickly and the goals were not like the ones in the first game. It was a tighter match this time.

"They were not beautiful goals but poor from a defensive point of view. We became a little bit open in the second half as we tried to score.

"We lacked a bit of quality going forward and that did not help us but Benfica are a good side."

Benfica are almost certain to qualify, and coach Jorge Jesus was delighted after a match attended by club legend Eusebio, who was guest of honour.

It was Benfica's first win on the road in Europe in eight matches, and Jesus said: "We took a little bit more of risk in the second half and it worked.

"We had a good mentality in this game, which we needed, and I have a lot of trust in the players.

"Everton are one of the strongest sides we have played and I still expect them to join us in going through to the next stage."