Earlier in the day, Everton were given the news they had been dreading when Fellaini was ruled out for up to six months after scans revealed he had suffered ankle ligament damage as a result of the red-card challenge from Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the Merseyside derby 11 days ago.

And Moyes said: “Fellaini looks like he has an injury similar to van Persie and expect it to keep him out for about six months.

“We aren't sure until the operation has taken place.

“He has played really well this season and has been part of the reason for improvement. He has been a big miss for us already but it was a seriously bad tackle.”

Tim Cahill limped off midway through the second half of last night's game with a calf strain which will be further assessed today.

Meanwhile, Sporting coach Carlos Carvalhal was angry Everton's second goal was allowed and is confident his team can overturn the single-goal deficit next week.

Television replays suggested Distin handled the ball over the line after goalkeeper Rui Patricio could possibly have been impeded by Cahill from a Leighton Baines corner.

And Carvalhal said: “I'm not happy with the final score. In my opinion the tie is still open. We started the match playing very well and had a very good first half.

“We should have been ahead at half-time, never mind losing.

“I think their second goal shouldn't have been allowed, and that made things difficult. I thought it was a handball (by Distin) for the second goal.

“For me, it was telling that their first goal was replayed three times on the screen in the ground. But when they scored the second one, it wasn't replayed once.”