Anichebe settles Everton nerves

Second-half goals from Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe ensured Everton FC got their UEFA Cup Group A campaign off to a winning start against Larissa FC.

Nervy finish
David Moyes's men appeared to be cruising when Osman rifled in on 50 minutes to double the lead after Tim Cahill had broken the deadlock in the first half. The Greek visitors quickly pulled a goal back through Cleyton, however, setting up a nervy finish at Goodison Park until Anichebe took the result beyond doubt five minutes from time.

Cahill opener
There was a subdued atmosphere in the opening stages as Everton made a sluggish start, but that all changed when Cahill struck on 14 minutes. Osman combined cleverly with Mikel Arteta and drilled in a low cross that the Australian stooped to head in. Ilias Kiriakidis fired his side's first shot over on 17 minutes as Larissa struggled to find the form that had accounted for Blackburn Rovers FC.

Sharp save
Instead it was Everton who looked dangerous, with Arteta pulling the midfield strings. Larissa goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis pounced on James McFadden's effort on 20 minutes, then produced a much sharper save to keep Cahill's low drive out four minutes before the break. The hosts seemed determined to make their superiority count, and McFadden almost scored early in the second period, racing clear only to be denied by Kotsolis.

Superb move
When the second goal did arrive, the home fans might have felt it was worth the wait. A superb move culminated in Steven Pienaar flicking the ball to Osman who thundered in from 20 metres. Everton lost concentration in the 65th minute, Joleon Lescott surrendering possession to Cleyton who finished smartly. Larissa pressed forward in search of an equaliser before Anichebe's late intervention, the substitute slotting low past Kotsolis after a misunderstanding at the back.