Everton destroy Brann

Everton wrapped up qualification for the next round of the UEFA Cup thanks to the contribution of a stunning Yakubu hattrick in a 6-1 victory. Andy Johnson (2) and Mikel Arteta also got on the scoresheet.

The opening minutes saw little goalmouth action, although Lee Carsley was fortunate to escape serious sanction as he brought down Njogu Demba-Nyren when the Brann striker appeared to be clean through on goal.

Arteta eventually began to dictate play in midfield, but Everton seemed content to sit on their lead and look for the counter-attack through Andrew Johnson and Yakubu.

Ten minutes before the break Brann almost found a way back into the tie as Tim Howard blocked a close-range Thorstein Helstad shot, but within a minute Everton were in front.

Tim Cahill fed Yakubu and he smashed a right-foot shot from just inside the penalty area into the corner of the net, leaving keeper Hakan Opdal rooted to the spot.

Three minutes before the break it was 2-0 as Johnson turned away from his marker and rifled a low shot across Opdal and just inside the far post with his right foot.

Straight after the restart Johnson raced clear of the Brann defence, but his cool finish past Opdal came back off an upright and was cleared away to safety.

With 54 minutes on the clock Yakubu netted his second of the evening, collecting a Steven Pienaar pass before turning cleverly inside two defenders and burying a left-foot shot from 15 yards out.

On the hour Brann pulled a goal back as Petter Vaagan Moen's left-foot free-kick from all of 30 yards somehow flew in past Howard, who was late to move, expecting Phil Jagielka to get a foot to the ball.

Twenty minutes from time Everton restored their three-goal cushion as Arteta's deflected drive went in off the post, with Opdal left with no chance.

A couple of minutes later it was 5-1 on the night as Pienaar's ball in from the left was deflected off a defender to leave Yakubu with the simplest of tasks to sidefoot home from a couple of yards to complete his hat-trick.

Pienaar and Vaagan Moen were both denied by the woodwork in the closing minutes, before Johnson completed the scoring deep into stoppage time with a swerving strike from 25 yards.