Benfica’s S. American trio destroy Everton

Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo scored two goals apiece and defender Luisao was also on target as Benfica thumped Everton 5-0 in the Europa League yesterday.

South Americans were also on target as holders Shakhtar Donetsk thrashed Toulouse 4-0 to maintain a 100 per cent record in the group stage of the former UEFA Cup and Austria Vienna scored twice in the last 20 minutes to hold Werder Bremen 2-2.

Everton had maxium points in Group I before travelling to Lisbon but were plagued by injuries and fell behind to a goal from Argentine Saviola after 14 minutes.

The Premier League side were taken apart at the start of the second half when Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo scored twice in a minute, turning in crosses from Saviola and Angel Di Maria, and Brazil defender Luisao headed in the fourth from a corner in the 52nd minute.

Saviola added the fifth late in the game to leave Benfica and Everton level on six points from three games.

Brazil’s Fernandinho gave Shakhtar Donetsk an early lead from a penalty before his compatriot Luiz Adriano scored twice and Czech Tomas Huebschman also hit the target in their demolition of Toulouse.

The Ukrainians top Group J with nine points.

Werder Bremen, beaten by Shakhtar in the last UEFA Cup final in May, looked set to maintain their 100 per cent record when Claudio Pizarro scored in each half to put them 2-0 ahead at Austria Vienna.

But Ermin Sulimani pulled one back before Brazilian striker Schumacher struck an 87th minute equaliser for the hosts.

Werder are still top with seven points, one ahead of Athletic Bilbao who came from behind to beat Portugal’s Nacional 2-1.

Brazilian Jonathan Reis gave PSV Eindhoven a 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen which kept them top of Group K and his compatriot Franca scored a last-minute goal to help Moldova’s Sheriff Tiraspol to their first win in Group H.

Sheriff beat former England coach Steve McLaren’s Twente Enschede 2-0, Burkina Faso’s Benjamin Balima having opened the scoring in the 41st minute.

A last-gasp strike from Marco Andreolli earned Roma a 1-1 draw at Fulham while another injury time goal, this time from Tommaso Rocchi, earned Lazio a 2-1 win over Villarreal.

Genoa were hammered 3-0 by Lille in France.