Souza at the double as Fenerbache curise past Lokomotiv

Josef Souza scored twice as Fenerbahce took charge of their Europa League last 32 tie with a dominant first-leg performance against Lokomotiv Moscow.

Source: AAP

The Turkish side were on the front foot throughout as Lokomotiv set up shop simply to avoid conceding and were grateful to goalkeeper Guilherme for limiting the damage.

Even he, though, could not stop midfielder Souza from popping up twice on the edge of the six-yard box to give Vitor Pereira's side a 2-0 win and set them well on their way to the next round.

Mehmet Topal dragged an early Fenerbahce shot wide and Guilherme made a superb close-range save from Robin van Persie, who got a touch to Volkan Sen's cross after Delvin Ndinga had been caught in possession.

The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when full-back Gokhan Gonul crossed and Souza scored with a downward header.

Lokomotiv's one first-half threat came when Manuel Fernandes' low free-kick was shovelled away from onrushing attackers by keeper Fabiano de Freitas.

Sen drew a good scrambling save from Guilherme and just before half-time Lokomotiv's Dmitri Tarasov was booked, earning a suspension for the second leg.

Jan Durica twice thwarted Van Persie, the second time with a vital clearance when Caner Erkin's corner was flicked across the six-yard box.

Guilherme parried Erkin's drive but Fenerbahce finally got the second goal their play deserved. Sen was crowded out but Erkin's first-time cross was sidefooted home neatly at the back post by Souza.

Substitute Fernandao headed wide and even a late Lokomotiv free-kick almost led to a Fenerbahce goal, Guilherme untidily snuffing out a two-man break.

The keeper saved his side again in the fourth of five added minutes, clawing Fernandao's header into the ground and up onto the bar.