Three out of three for the Premiership sides in the UEFA Cup as Everton roar, Bolton grind and Spurs stutter their way through to the last sixteen. Here’s my notes on last night’s European fun…

Everton 6 SK Brann 1

Moyes’ men cruised to victory against the Norwegian champions, winning the tie 8-1 on aggregate. The Everton boss had plenty of options with his selection and brought back Arteta and Pienaar to his midfield after injury. Osman and Fernandes dropped to the bench. At the back, Valente got a start at left-back with Lescott moving to a central role and Yobo rested from the sixteen.

Yakubu’s hat-trick and Johnson’s brace will get the headlines – Johnson also contributed an assist as did Pienaar and Cahill. It will be interesting to see if Moyes keeps faith with a 4-4-2 at City at the weekend or whether he’ll shift a more familiar 4-5-1 with either Osman or Fernandes recalled and Cahill played just off a lone frontman – most likely Yakubu. That would be harsh on Johnson who certainly stood out here, but it does seem likely away from Goodison.

Pienaar’s immediate recall on the left of midfield should be of interest. He’s a very cheap option in the FPL game (currently 4.5) and as such looks a bargain. He was denied a goal by the woodwork here and as I mentioned, contributed an assist. Given Everton’s forthcoming fixtures, he looks a good cheap alternative to Cahill and Arteta.

Everton’s last sixteen tie first leg against Fiorentina will take place on March 6. That’s four days after the home game with Portsmouth. The second leg at home falls seven days later on March 13 which is a good five days after their trip to Sunderland. The likes of Arteta, Cahill, Yobo and Yakubu could certainly be rested prior to those ties – although with fourth place still a major target for Everton, it would seem that major rotation of key players seems unlikely.

Tottenham 1 Slavia Prague 1

An unconvincing performance from Spurs but they stumbled through with an early goal from O’Hara enough to see them claim the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

The significant team news saw Robinson recalled in goal – presumably banishing Cerny to the bench for the Carling Cup Final on Sunday and the remainder of the season. Kaboul lined up alongside Woodgate with Dawson still sidelined through injury. O’Hara came in at left-back with Hutton cup-tied. Malbranque and Jenas were rested to the bench with Tanio and Zokora coming into the midfield alongside Huddlestone and Lennon. Keane was also preserved on the bench with Bent partnering Berbatov up front.

The last sixteen tie first leg against PSV will take place on March 6 – that follows a trip to Birmingham five days earlier while the second and away leg will follow on March 13. That comes after a home Premiership clash with West Ham which appears to be the fixture most under threat in terms of rest and rotation, although there are four days in between the games. Owners of Jenas, Berbatov and Keane will certainly need to be aware of this risk going into that gameweek.

Atletico Madrid 0 Bolton 0

A superb display from Bolton and yet more evidence of the new defensive resolve that Megson has instilled in his side. That’s now five clean sheets in the last six matches in all competitions – reinforcing the value offered by the likes of Cahill and O’Brien who appear to be the foundation of the Bolton defence.

Megson was forced into changes at the back for this one with Steinsson cup-tied so Hunt once again came in at right-back. Samuel kept his place at left-back with Gardner still sidelined. Guthrie was also out with a knock so Stelios got a start. Campo and Diouf dropped to the bench with McCann and Joey O’Brien getting starts after shaking off injuries. Davies was the lone frontman with Taylor once again providing support from the left.

Bolton’s progress means that the Premiership game with United, scheduled for March 8 but postponed due to United’s FA Cup commitments, cannot be rescheduled for March 12. That should mean a double fixture gameweek in the FPL for both Bolton and United at some point.

So on March 13 Bolton will play out the second leg of their last sixteen tie at Sporting. The first leg, at home, will take place on March 6. With the United game postponed, Megson’s side don’t have a game in between which should minimise the risk of rotation with their players. He could choose to rest a few at home to Liverpool next weekend, in preparation for the first leg four days later, but it seems unlikely.