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Everton progress to Europa playoffs

Cape Town - Everton progressed to the playoff round of the Europa League with a 2-0 aggregate win over Slovakian side Ruzomberok.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal of Thursday night's hard-fought second leg at the Futbalovy Stadion MFK with 80 minutes on the clock, after Leighton Baines was on target in the first leg.

Dominik Kruzliak headed wide early on for the hosts after a promising spell of possession from the Toffees.

Wayne Rooney chipped over on 17 minutes before fluffing a great chance he created by feeding Tom Davies in a wide position on the right, and poorly connecting with the return ball after Davies had beaten his man.

Jordon Pickford had a nervy moment when he nearly presented the ball to Erik Daniel before claiming the ball at the second attempt.

Morgan Schneiderlin then headed wide from a good delivery from the lively s Sandro Ramirez 36 minutes, who then fired over at the end of the first half.

Daniel had Pickford scrambling with a 54th minute shot that flew inches wide of the target as Everton struggled to take hold of the game in the opening stages of the second half.

Calvert-Lewin replaced Sandro on 69 minutes and almost immediately created a chance before being dispossessed by the last defender.

There were more signs of life from the visitors as the tie wore on though and after some steely defending, it was Calvert-Lewin who put their progression beyond doubt.

Rooney did well to release Davy Klaassen who played the goalscorer through with an early pass, and he made no mistake when one-on-one with Matu Macik as he slotted the ball past the advancing keeping low to his right.

Everton shut up shop and comfortably saw out this tie to enter their name into the draw for Friday's draw.

Selection of Thursday night's results:

Zenit 0-1 Bnei Yehuda

Sparta Praha 0-1 Crvena Zvezda

Fenerbahce 1-1 Sturm Graz

Hajduk Split 2-0 Brondby

Osijek 1-0 PSV

Athletic Club 3-0 Dinamo Bucuresti

Milan 2-0 CS U Craiova

Ruzomberok 0-1 Everton

KV Oostende 0-0 Olympique Marseille

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