EVERTON came to exorcise the ghosts of their previous trip to the Portuguese capital, but they departed with that same sinking feeling.

Skipper Phil Neville had urged his team-mates to show Lisbon the “real” Everton following the 5-0 mauling a depleted side suffered against Sporting’s city rivals Benfica in the group stage of the Europa League in October, but they didn’t turn up at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Outfought and comprehensively outplayed, David Moyes’ side could have no complaints as their hopes of European glory were dashed for another year.

For an hour it looked like they might cling on to the narrow advantage they had secured at home seven days earlier.

But Sporting’s pressure finally told and after quickfire strikes from Miguel Veloso and Pedro Mendes, Everton had no response. Matias Fernandez’s injury time strike merely rubbed salt into their gaping wounds.

Ultimately, Everton were left cursing the lapse in concentration which allowed Sporting back into the tie late on in the first leg at Goodison.

The over-hit pass and poor piece of control which led to Sylvain Distin’s dismissal and allowed Veloso to halve the deficit from the penalty spot changed the whole perspective of this tie.

From a position of authority, Everton were vulnerable and the momentum Sporting gained from that strike they carried into last night.

Moyes had promised to be positive and go all-out for victory last night but whether planned or not Everton spent most of the contest penned in their own half.

For the thousands of Evertonians who made the trip it was tough to watch.

Memorable league wins over title contenders Chelsea and Manchester United had fuelled the belief that Everton’s long wait for silverware may soon be ended. But it won’t happen this year and now the target over the coming months is to ensure the Europa League is on the agenda again season.

For that to happen they must quickly overcome this defeat and redisover the swagger that has been evident in their recent league triumphs.

Moyes made two enforced changes to the side which beat United 3-1 at Goodison with Philippe Senderos and Joseph Yobo coming into the back-line in place of John Heitinga, who is ineligible for Europe, and the suspended Sylvain Distin.

Senderos got the nod ahead of Phil Jagielka, who was named among the substitutes on his return to the squad after 10 months out with a serious knee injury.

Under-fire Sporting manager Carlos Carvalhal made his intentions clear by drafting in striker Yannick Djalo for midfielder Matias Fernandez.

Carvalhal was in desperate need of a victory to ease the pressure on him following a miserable run of seven games without a win during which the Lions have been dumped out of both domestic cup competitions and slipped 20 points adrift of league leaders and city rivals Benfica.

With Djalo up front alongside veteran Liedson and long-time Everton target Joao Moutinho playing just behind, the hosts went for the jugular and Everton were under the cosh early on.

Inside four minutes keeper Tim Howard was called on to push away Marat Izmailov’s strike and then Liedson dragged his effort wide of the post.

It was a tough examination for Senderos, who was making only his third appearance following his January loan move from Arsenal, and the Swiss defender’s clumsy challenge on Djalo conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Moutinho’s curling effort beat Howard but cannoned back off the bar and Liedson wastefully spurned the rebound.

Everton had a £12million bid for Moutinho rejected two years ago and the pint-sized play-maker showed Moyes what he was missing by giving the visiting backline a torried time.

Nervous and disjointed, Everton continued to invite pressure by carelessly tossing away possession.