Everton suffered the heaviest European defeat in their history as a sublime Benfica side ran riot with three goals in five second-half minutes at the Stadium of Light.

Two goals apiece from Paraguayan hotshot Oscar Cardozo and his strike partner Javier Saviola, condemned David Moyes’ side to their first defeat in eight games, with Brazilian defender Luisao also getting on the score sheet.

21-year-old Argentine Angel Di Maria put in an outstanding performance on the left wing, setting up four of his side’s five goals with his relentless dribbling, blistering pace and pin-point crossing.

Injury-hit Everton went into the game without eleven key players, with Joseph Yobo, Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka among the more notable absentees.

The Toffees' unrecognisable back-line were ripped to shreds time and time again by a rampant Portuguese side, who put on a master class of attacking football in front of their boisterous supporters, ending the visitor’s unbeaten record in Group I in emphatic style.

The lively Di Maria engineered his side’s first goal, sending a deep cross over the head of stranded debutant Seamus Coleman and into the path of former Barcelona ace Saviola to volley a low shot past Tim Howard on 13 minutes.

The Eagles have been in impressive form in the Primeira Divisão so far this season, with six wins and a draw in their last seven, and looked confident knocking the ball around in the opening exchanges.

Moyes’ much-changed side struggled to impose themselves on proceedings in the first-half, but were still in with a chance at the beginning of the second, looking dangerous from set-pieces.

Inspired by the buzzing atmosphere inside the Lisbon stadium, Jorge Jesus’ side stepped up a gear after half-time, casting aside their first-half profligacy in resounding fashion.

O Glorioso simply blew their English opponents away, scoring an astonishing three goals in five extraordinary minutes.

Forward Cardozo continued his prolific spell in front of goal, which has seen him score 12 goals in his last 11 games, to double his side’s advantage, poking in Di Maria’s cross at the far post with an easy finish on 47 minutes.

The 26-year-old was at it again just a minute later, heading his side three goals to the good after brilliant work down the left by Di Maria, who grabbed his third assist of the game.

Following a shock defeat to AEK Athens in their last European outing, Benfica were in a clinical mood and made it four when Luisao rose unmarked to head in a corner on 51 minutes.

Jesus’ side put the icing on the cake with eight minutes to go and Everton out of their misery.

Luisao floated a long ball over an embarrassingly static Blues' defence, into the path of South American Di Maria, who chipped the ball over Howard into the path of Saviola, who volleyed in his second with ease.

The victory for Benfica leaves them level on points with Everton at the top of the table on a night to forget for the blue half of Merseyside.

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar; Ruben Amorim, Luisao, David Luiz, Cesar Peixoto; Ramires, Javi Garcia; Saviola (Weldon 85'), Aimar (Martins 69'), Di Maria; Cardozo (Coentrao 77') .

Everton (4-4-2): Howard; Gosling, Hibbert, Distin, Coleman; Fellaini, Cahill, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov (Saha 60'); Jo, Yakubu (Baxter 71').