MISERABLE weather, difficult circumstances, terrific result; ‘Highway To Hell’ boomed out on the stadium speakers in Minsk last night but Everton took a giant step on the road towards the Europa League’s knockout stages.
We have seen on numerous occasions in recent years Everton show the ability to thrive in adversity and, once again, that outstanding quality proved crucial as they took a stranglehold on matters in Group I.
It could have been so different. With so many familiar faces staying at home, falling behind to an early thunderbolt in conditions that bordered on a monsoon could have prompted certain teams to throw in the white towel.
Not Everton. Though BATE Borisov gave it their best shot in the Belarusian capital, it was their misfortune to come up against the Blues in one of their more obdurate moods – from an early stage, it was quite clear that they were only going to leave with three points.
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