Everton manager David Moyes is determined his side will get back on track in the Europa League after back-to-back defeats by Benfica.

Qualification for the knock-out stage is still in their hands but the meeting in Greece next month against AEK Athens could hold the key.

Second-half goals from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo saw Benfica cement their place at the top of the table on Thursday, but Moyes said: "There are some tough games coming up but we never thought the group would be easy. This is a long competition with lots of teams in it and others coming in later."

Everton had the majority of possession in the first half but got a taste of what was to come in the 43rd minute when Cardozo's header came back off the post.

Benfica stepped up the pace and Angel Di Maria squandered a great chance before the midfielder set up Saviola for a clinical finish in the 63rd minute.

Cardozo sealed the points 13 minutes later with a volley from an acute angle after Tony Hibbert had failed to close him down.

Moyes added: "Benfica broke quickly and the goals were not like the ones in the first game. It was a tighter match this time.

"They were not beautiful goals but poor from a defensive point of view. We became a little bit open in the second half as we tried to score.

"We lacked a bit of quality going forward and that did not help us but Benfica are a good side."