Everton are on course to start their Europa League campaign with a victory after taking a 2-0 half-time lead over Wolfsburg this evening.

The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when Steven Naismith was picked out by Leighton Baines inside the box, before seeing his effort take a deflection off Diego Benaglio before finding the net.

Luis Gustavo tested his luck from range soon after, but his effort was beaten away by Tim Howard.

The hosts threatened to add a second goal three minutes before the break, with Romelu Lukaku seeing a long-range free kicked palmed away by Benaglio.

They were able to double their lead on the stroke of half time, when Kevin Mirallas saw his effort saved by the keeper and from the rebound Baines unselfishly picked out Seamus Coleman to head in at the back post.