Everton stunned Nürnberg 2-0 with two late goals in Germany to top UEFA Cup Group A with maximum points while Larissa went down 3-2 at home to Zenit St Petersburg.

A Mikel Arteta penalty following a foul on substitute Victor Anichebe and excellent finish by the young striker as the clock ticked down secured their spot at the summit.

Everton began the match by driving forward and almost took the lead just seconds in. Mikel Arteta shot low from 20 yards out and Jaromir Blazek in the home goal blocked.

Tim Cahill followed it and tried to stick home the rebound, but once more the goalkeeper got something on it and the ball came back off the post.

There was an excitable atmosphere inside the Frankenstadion that deserved more than they were given in terms of goal-scoring opportunities in the first half.

The best chance was created by Leon Osman from the right when he slid a ball low across goal. Australian midfield machine Cahill arrived at full stretch yet could not quite get a toe on it to open the scoring.

Nürnberg's Dominik Reinhardt did well to wriggle away from his marker on the half-hour and unleashed a shot that Tim Howard just managed to tip around the post.

With minutes left of the half Joseph Yobo attacked a cross for the Toffees and the ball fell around the edge of the six-yard box. With players from both sides hacking at it and Blazek on the floor, Nürnberg were relieved to see Yakubu's shot saved by the 'keeper.

The cautious contest continued into the second half until Arteta held the ball on the corner of the penalty area. The defender automatically followed the run of captain Phil Neville as he ran across him and the Spaniard used the opportunity to take the ball inside and shoot with his left foot.

There was a slight deflection and Blazek was fortunate to keep it out.

As the game seemed destined to end goalless, Arteta played Anichebe - who had replaced hardworking Nigerian hit-man Yakubu up front on 75 minutes - in behind and Gláuber hauled him down in the box. Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco pointed to the spot and booked the Brazilian.

Arteta made no mistake with the kick, putting the ball high to Blazek's right and sending the English fans in the stadium delirious with joy.

Anichebe made sure of the three points in the 88th minute when he broke free on the right and finished from an angle after surging into the box.

The match ended amid a plethora of changes - and a rousing reception for the English club's players from their travelling support.

Larissa 2-3 Zenit St Petersburg

Larissa lost their unbeaten home record in Europe as Fatih Tekke's late goal gave Zenit St Petersburg a thrilling 3-2 win in Greece.

With just 13 minutes remaining Tekke got on the end of fellow substitute Alejandro Dominguez's cross and maintained Zenit's unbeaten start to Group A.

The Russian club went ahead at the end of the first half through Pavel Pogrebniak, but Larissa hit back through Nektarios Alexandrou and Giorgos Fotakis before Konstatin Zurianov drew Zenit level.

Jonathan Symcox / SportingLife / Eurosport