Europe here we come

Everton effectively clinched a spot in European soccer competition next season with a 3-0 victory at home against Portsmouth. The victory ends Portsmouth’s Euro-hopes.
Everton struggled mightily in the first half against the physically more powerful Portsmouth side, but in the second half our superior technical ability told a different tale. A fine run by teen-age forward James Vaughn at the hour mark led to a a penalty kick, which Mikel Arteta dispatched. Just three minutes later, Joseph Yobo scored on a header from a corner kick. After that, it was all over but the lap of honor.
Everton is now in fifth place. The top seven will play in Europe next year. The worst Everton can finish is tied for seventh, and our outstanding goal difference virtually assures that we would win on the tiebreaker.

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