McCarthy produces European masterclass at Goodison

After the failings of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in the Champions League, Everton restored some English pride with an impressive Europa League win over Wolfsburg.

An own-goal from Ricardo Rodriguez, Seamus Coleman's header in first-half injury time, Leighton Baines' penalty and Kevin Mirallas'slate strike gave Roberto Martínez the perfect start to a competition he is clearly prioritising. The best work was completed in the first half, the Germans far more dangerous than the scoreline suggested.

Martínez selected his strongest line-up to leave no doubt that this is a competition he expects to still be on the agenda come spring.

Such ambition deserves reward, but the Spanish coach will also have calculated his players would be suited to the pace of the competition. The phrase 'gung-ho' is not in Martínez's vocabulary.

Images of Goodison's most famous night - the defeat of Bayern Munich en route to the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985 - were replayed before kick-off, but this was never going to be a flavour of what was to come here.

Where Howard Kendall's great side was prepared to bully the opponent before outplaying them, Martínez has a patient approach aimed at lulling the opponent before striking. There is a touch of rope-a-dope about it.

When the plan is executed and tempo increases it can be magical. In fairness to Wolfsburg, this was one of those nights when Everton had an unfair advantage as they appeared to have three James McCarthys on the pitch.

The midfielder was everywhere, creating as well as harrying. Everton will not need to look far the next time they need a new captain. He has the tactical understanding of a veteran.

The Irish international was inevitably involved in the opening goal on 14 minutes, exchanging one-touch passes with Steven Naismith until Leighton Baines sped clear and pulled back for the advancing Scottish striker.

Naismith's shot bounced off keeper Diego Benaglio and into Rodriguez before deflecting into the empty net.

Although they had plenty of possession, Wolfsburg's first-half threat was limited to shots from distance.

It was Everton who consistently looked most likely to grab a second on the counter-attack, Coleman obliging on the stroke of half-time after some generous goalkeeping.

Benaglio flapped at Mirallas' drive, Baines pounced on the rebound and Coleman could not miss from six yards.

Wolfsburg made matters worse for themselves a minute after the break when Robin Knoche tripped Aiden McGeady, enabling Baines to efffortlessly stroke home a penalty.

The initial contact was outside the penalty area, but the momentum was such the decision was understandable.

The Germans sent on Nicklas Bendtner after an hour. It remained to be seen if this would assist or halt an increasingly potent Wolfsburg advance, Everton's defence now inviting too much pressure and wasting counter-attacking opportunities.

ADVANTAGE

Naldo fired another free-kick inches wide with Howard well-beaten as, despite the clear advantage,

Goodison started to fear the consequences of conceding. The memories of recent goal sprees by Chelsea and Arsenal lingered, regardless of the cushion.

Mirallas slotted home Everton's fourth goal in the final minute, but there was still time for the visitors to pull one back, Rodriguez scoring with a free-kick.

Meanwhile, reigning Europa League champions Sevilla got their bid to win the competition for a record fourth time off to a successful start by beating Feyenoord 2-0.

Sevilla, who lifted the title for the third time in nine years in May after beating Benfica on penalties, scored twice in the first half through Grzegorz Krychowiak and former QPR midfielder Stephane Mbia and Feyenoord, winners in 1974 and 2002, could find no way back.

Meanwhile, Borussia Monchengladbach and Tottenham, who share four UEFA Cup titles between them, both recorded draws. Monchengladbach were held 1-1 at home by Villarreal while Spurs drew 0-0 at Partizan Belgrade. © Daily Telegraph, London, and other agencies.