Everton have defeated Wolfsburg 2-0 in their Europa League clash this evening to secure top spot in Group H.
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The home side created the first the real opening of the contest with five minutes played, with Ivan Perisic heading over the bar from close range after getting the better of marker Tony Hibbert.
Everton came close to edging ahead when Sylvain Distin struck the woodwork with a headed effort of his own at the back post, although it was Wolfsburg who will feel aggrieved not to have taken the lead when Perisic's close-range finish was ruled out for being offside.
Aaron Hunt's long-range drive forced Tim Howard into action shortly after, while the Toffees suffered a blow on the half-hour mark when James McCarthy left the field with a thigh injury.
Then, with two minutes to go before the interval, Everton's travelling support were sent into raptures when Romelu Lukaku charged half the length of the pitch before keeping his composure to fire the ball beyond Diego Benaglio.
Lille's 1-1 draw against Krasnador in the evening's earlier kickoff ensured that Roberto Martinez's side's place in the last-32 was already secured, but that did not stop them from pushing forward at the Volkswagen Arena.
Aiden McGeady failed to find the target when the ball fell invitingly to him from less than 10 yards out, and moments later the ever-dangerous Persic struck the post before forcing another save out of Howard as Die Wolfe closed in on a leveller.
It was to be Everton's night, however, and out of nowhere Kevin Mirallas drove the ball into the bottom corner to put the visitors on course for top spot with 15 minutes to go.
There was still time for the Bundesliga high-flyers to hit the frame of the goal once more, this time via Maximilian Arnold's strike, while substitute Ross Barkley saw what he thought was his first European goal chalked off for offside.
Unbeaten Everton can no longer be caught at the summit of Group H, with just one game left to play.
Daniel Lewis
