The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for Lokomotiv Moscow against Nice.
Lokomotiv’s Manuel Fernandes celebrates
The Europa League knockout stages got underway last night and, as usual, plenty of former Premier League players found the net. But whilst most were concerned with what Michy Batshuayi, Florian Thauvin or Mario Balotelli were up to, Everton fans were far more interested in the hero of the hour at Lokomotiv Moscow.
Trailing 2-0 in Nice to the Ligue 1 outfit the Russians roared back into the tie, eventually willing the game 3-2.
They had a hat-trick hero to thank and that man was Manuel Fernandes.
Lokomotiv’s Manuel Fernandes (R) celebrates
He scored a penalty, curled in a free-kick and then placed a one-on-one effort late on to give Lokomotiv a vital lead going into the second leg.
It was a tremendous performance from the 32-year-old, who is of course a former Everton player. He joined the club in January 2007 from Benfica and was a firm fan favourite. He put in some excellent displays in an Everton shirt and fans wanted him signed permanently. Unfortunately, the deal became complicated and Everton did not sign him, he instead headed to Valencia.
Chelsea’s French midfielder Florent Malouda (R) is challenged by Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes
But just six months later he returned to Everton on loan, but his second spell at the club was less successful.
Time with Besiktas proved fruitful and he has been a star at Lokomotiv since 2014. Now he is being tipped as a potential surprise inclusion in Portugal’s World cup and this was not even his first Europa League hat-trick – he grabbed another against Zlin in September.
Everton fans were certainly happy to see the former player looking good in Europe, even if some wondered – what if?
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