Liverpool, Fulham advance but Everton out of Europa League

(GSM) – Liverpool and Fulham advanced to the Round of 16 of the Europa League on Thursday, but fortunes were not as good for English brethren Everton, who were dumped out by Sporting Lisbon.

Liverpool claimed a 3-1 victory away to Romanian side Unirea Urziceni, securing a 4-1 aggregate win.

It started promising for the host Unirea as Bruno Fernandes headed them into the lead on 19 minutes, but Javier Mascherano got the all important away goal for the Reds on the half-hour.

Ryan Babel extended the advantage on 41 minutes, and skipper Steven Gerrard iced the tie away with a fine strike in the 57th minute.

Fulham, meanwhile, took out holders Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in Ukraine.

Needing to cancel Shakhtar’s away goal from the first leg, big defender Brede Hangeland nodded in a Damien Duff free kick to put Fulham in front on 33 minutes.

Shakhtar, now needing two goals without reply for extra time, pulled a goal back in the 69th minute through Jadson, but could get no closer despite Danny Murphy’s silly late red card.

Everton, holding a 2-1 edge from the first leg, crashed out 4-2 on aggregate as Sporting won 3-0 on the night at the José Alvalade.

The Toffees held firm until the 64th minute when Sporting’s Miguel Veloso struck from inside the area, Pedro Mendes put the Portuguese side firmly in front on 77 minutes with a drive that eluded Tim Howard from outside the area.

Matías Fernández added the third for Sporting in extra time to send Everton out of the tournament.