Ghana winger Christian Atsu benched as Everton thrash Wolfsburg in Europa League

Ghana midfielder Christian Atsu was bench on Thursday night as his English side Everton marked their Europa League return with a dominant 4-1 victory over German side Wolfsburg at Goodison Park.

Atsu, who joined Everton on loan from Chelsea, was hoping for playing time with the Toffees but his dreams of playing in the match were dashed as he was left on the bench.

The Toffees, back in the tournament for the first time since 2010, controlled much of the game as a Ricardo Rodriguez own goal and a Seamus Coleman header gave them a 2-0 half-time lead.

Leighton Baines put the game beyond Wolfsburg with a second-half penalty.

Kevin Mirallas drilled in a late fourth for Everton before Rodriguez grabbed a consolation with a curled free-kick.

The win puts Everton top of Group H and was just reward for manager Roberto Martinez, who underlined his intention to take the competition seriously by naming a strong side, after calling it “the perfect next step” for the club.

The Toffees narrowly missed out on the Champions League last season as they finished fifth in the Premier League, but with their participation in this season's Europa League ending a four-year absence, Martinez has expressed a determination to go as far as possible.

Everton's attacking display on Thursday will certainly give him confidence of progressing from a group that also contains French side Lille and Russians FK Krasnodar.

Atsu will be hoping for playing time in subsequent matches for the English side in European competition.