JOLEON LESCOTT may be packing his bags, but Everton supporters can start reaching for their passports.

With the wantaway centre-back sat in the stands, David Moyes’s side effectively sealed qualification to the group stages of the Europa League in emphatic style.

And it was somehow apt Lescott’s absence allowed a homegrown talent to further blossom last night.

Moyes turned to Jack Rodwell to fill the midfield breach left by Phil Neville being forced into temporary centre-back duty.

It was a decision that paid rich dividends, Rodwell shining bright on the European stage and striking two memorable goals to help Everton on their way to an impressive first-leg victory over Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc.

Of all the youngsters to have come through at Goodison since Wayne Rooney, Rodwell has always been the one for which hopes have been highest.

Moyes has been rightly protective of the 18-year-old since his debut in the UEFA Cup tie at AZ Alkmaar two seasons ago.

But Rodwell’s outrageous long-range brace either side of half-time – one with the left foot, one with his right – will have made his claims for regular first-team inclusion difficult to ignore.

Already Everton’s youngest-ever player in Europe, Rodwell’s audacious first strike also made him the youngest player to score in Continental combat for the club.

Few would be surprised if more landmarks fall the way of the England under-21 international in the coming years.

Rodwell was clattered later on for his troubles, but with Louis Saha also weighing in with a brace, this was the ideal response to the 6-1 opening-day humiliation to Arsenal, an energetic and vibrant Everton possessing far too much quality and intent for the visitors.

Moyes made a bold move in leaving out Lescott from a European tie pivotal to his team’s season, but the performance of his players ensured it was justified.

The fall-out to Saturday evening involved an unhappy Moyes informing Lescott he will not be considered until he changes the “poor attitude” that led to his axing.

But the sight of the centre-back laughing and joking in the directors’ box last night, seemingly without a care in the world, didn’t exactly smack of someone who was overly bothered to be sitting the game out.

Lescott would surely have heard the muffled chants aimed against him from a minority of supporters in the Gwladys Street end during the match.

The reality is, though, that a parting of the ways has become almost inevitable, although Everton will resist any further City offers until their valuation of the player is met.

European qualifying play-offs have not been kind to Everton under Moyes, not least given the standard of opposition they have been paired against.

The Champions League defeat against Villarreal in 2005 was followed by the debacle against Dinamo Bucharest, and although Metalist Kharkiv were eventually seen off a year later, Standard Liege proved too strong last season.

Sigma had thrashed Aberdeen 8-1 on aggregate in the previous round – including a 5-1 first-leg victory at Pittodrie – and their technical ability was evident from the first whistle.

But once Everton shook off the after-effects of Saturday and began imposing their physical prowess on the game, they wrested an initiative that was never loosened.

This was more like it, a throwback to the Everton of earlier this year when all-comers to Goodison were hurried out of their stride and dispatched with ruthless efficiency.