Everton struck twice in the second half to defeat UEFA Cup knockout foe Brann 2-0 in the Norway leg of their tie on Wednesday night.

Goals from Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe gave the Toffees their sixth straight European victory.

American goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the sheet clean and has now not allowed a goal in his last four games across all competitions.

Everton's first chance came in the opening minute of the match. Ayegbeni Yakubu chased a ball down from Phil Neville, but the Nigerian's strike from 12 meters out was caught by the keeper.

Strike partner Andrew Johnson had a shot shortly after that from long range, but Brann keeper Håkon Opdal comfortably caught the ball.

Upset-minded Brann almost took the lead in the eighth minute when Azar Karadas headed the ball just over from a Jan Gunnar Solli free kick.

In the 24th minute Osman's right-footed shot from 20 meters out was saved by a diving Opdal.

Controversy arose late in the first half when Solli's corner was put in the net by Karadas, but the goal was called off due to an Eirik Bakke foul on Howard and the sides went into their locker rooms at 0-0.

Tim Cahill almost put the Toffees ahead in the 52nd minute when his left-footed shot from 20 meters hit the post, but it would be Osman to break the scoreless draw seven minutes later when his shot from the same distance found the low corner of the net.

Manuel Fernandes almost put Everton up by two in the 76th minute, but his shot from 30 meters was tipped around the post by Opdal.

Brann pushed the attack in the last 10 minutes of the game. Substitute Njugo Demba-Nyren's shot from 20 meters out was parried away by Howard in the 81st minute. The hosts had another opportunity to equalize a minute later as Petter Vaagan Moen's corner found Thorstein Helstad, who was robbed from close range by an excellent Howard save.

Everton then scored an important goal in the 87th minute off the foot of Victor Anichebe. Joleon Lescott sent in a great cross for the striker to fire into the net from 12 meters.

Everton and Brann will play again on February 21 at Goodison Park.

Scoring
EVE - Leon Osman 2 58'
EVE - Victor Anichebe 4 (Joleon Lescott) 87'

Line-ups
EVE - Tim Howard; Phil Neville, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Tim Cahill, Manuel Fernandes (Tony Hibbert 88'), Lee Carsley, Leon Osman, Phil Jagielka, Ayegbeni Yakubu (Leighton Baines 90'), Andrew Johnson (Victor Anichebe 75')

SKB - Håkon Opdal; Bjørn Dahl, Kristjan Örn Sigurdsson, Olafur Örn Bjarnason, Erlend Hanstveit (Michael Thwaite 88'), Jan Gunnar Solli, Hassan El Fakiri (Erik Huseklepp 74'), Eirik Bakke, Petter Vaagan Moen, Thorstein Helstad, Azar Karadas (Njogu Demba-Nyrén 68')

ON THE SIDELINE
Rangers drew 0-0 with Panathinaikos at Ibrox without the injured DaMarcus Beasley. They will complete the tie on February 21st in Greece.