Everton got the UEFA Cup circus underway tonight with a frighteningly efficient performance in Norway to put themselves firmly in the driving seat against SK Brann. It looks like Moyes and his men are set for the last sixteen then. Will that cause us a rest and rotation nightmare as the fixtures pileup? Not necessarily, well not yet anyway. Here’s my notes on tonight’s proceedings…

SK Brann 0 Everton 2

Moyes brought Yakubu up front to partner Johnson – Cahill moving back into a more traditional central midfield role to compensate for the absence of Arteta who was out with a groin injury. Fernandes passed a fitness test to lineup on the right of midfield with Osman out on the left and Carsley alongside Cahill. At the back, Yobo returned to the centre which meant that Lescott once again moved to the left-back berth. Neville was a right-back with Hibbert and Baines on the bench.

No real surprises in that lineup then – aside from Arteta and possibly Pienaar, that was Moyes’ strongest current lineup which demonstrates that this tournament is a major priority. Osman and Fernandes are the two midfielders likely to come under threat from their return of that pair. But then Osman showed his quality tonight though with a fine strike to set Everton on their way. Lescott then demonstrated his class and continual fantasy potential by providing what is being described as a “sumptuous” cross from left back to set up sub Anichebe for a crucial second goal.

It was another clean sheet for the defence – their fourth in consecutive games. Jagielka was again excellent at the heart of the rearguard. Yobo also impressed on his return from the African Cup of Nations. Tonight’s defence is surely the first choice selection. Neville seems set to continue at right-back given the choice that Moyes has in midfield once Pienaar and Arteta are fit. Lescott is out of position at left-back but his foraging runs from that position only go to boost his appeal to fantasy managers, as highlighted again tonight.

Everton will look forward to sealing the tie next Thursday – a result there will see them progress to the last sixteen. That round of games are played on March 6 with the second leg on March 12-13. So how does that fit in around Everton’s Premiership programme?

They’re dut to take on Portsmouth at home before the first leg and then have Sunderland at home on the Saturday, just two days after. That Sunderland encounter could see some names rested if Everton are drawn away from home in the first leg as they were in this round. They go from the Sunderland game into the second leg and then follow that up with a trip to Fulham on March 16. Again, if the second leg is away from home, then Moyes could rest a few at the Cottage. My bet however, is that the home game with Sunderland offers the greatest risk of rest and rotation, given the timing and opposition. Sunderland are fighting hard at home but away, for now at least, they remain dismal to say the least.

Who would Moyes rest? Difficult to say given that Everton are eagerly chasing fourth. Yakubu would be a prime candidate given that Anichebe provides a similar muscular presence up front. Cahill is another who could be benched if Pienaar is available by then, which he should be. It’s hard to imagine Arteta being benched given his influence on the side but then, he may not be fit regardless but again, the signs are good. We’re still waiting news of the verdict on his groin injury although according to Everton’s official site he’s targetting a return for the second leg against SK Brann next week.

At the back, Lescott looks pretty safe having played almost every game this season. Yobo seems more likely to be rested with Baines or Valente coming in at left-back to allow Lescott to move to the centre.

Of course, as Everton progress and depending on league position, Moyes’ priorities may change and his rest and rotation policy may well be upped. Right now however, it appears fantasy managers don’t have too much to fear from Everton’s likely progress to the last sixteen. That’s good to know at time when Everton’s fixtures over the next 5-6 weeks look very decent indeed.