Everton top group after goalless draw at Lille
EVERTON held hosts Lille to their third successive draw in the Europa League to stay top of their group at the halfway stage.
Roberto Martinez’s side had been 9-4 outsiders for their trip to the French side, who had conceded only two goals in six home league games. And Lille proved as solid as expected, with neither side able to find the target.
The other match in Group H saw Wolfsburg, who had been bottom of the table, win 4-2 away at Krasnodar to jump up to second spot.
Spanish side Seville had been odds-on for their trip to Standard Liege but were held to a goalless draw, while Dutch club Feyenoord suffered their second defeat in three games at Rijeka.
Real Madrid confirmed that Gareth Bale will miss Saturday’s El Clasico clash against Barcelona.
Paul Murray has been named as the new manager of League Two Hartlepool, who are 13-8 favourites for relegation from the basement after making a slow start under former boss Colin Cooper.