Everton took full control of Group I on Thursday night after battling to a 2-1 victory over Belarusian side BATE Borisov, while AEK Athens produced the shock of the night with a fine 1-0 win over Benfica.

Everton, missing nine first-team players, made it back-to-back Europa League wins, coming from behind to beat experienced side BATE in Minsk.

David Moyes' men went behind in the 15th minute after an unstoppable wonder goal from 31-year-old midfielder Dmitri Likhtarovich.

The Toffees responded in the second half with two goals in eight minutes, Belgian international Marouane Fellaini headed in Leighton Baines free-kick to equalise and Tim Cahill wrapped up the points with a perfectly timed run to clip the ball over goalkeeper Sergei Veremko.

AEK Athens grabbed a qualification life-line, producing a determined display to upset the form guide against Jorge Jesus' Benfica.

Having been thrashed by Everton on matchday one, the Greek side threw Group I wide open with a 1-0 win over the Portuguese side, with Swedish defender Daniel Majstorovic's towering header just before half-time proving to be the winning goal.