Uefa is expected to launch an investigation today after a Brann supporter threw a pool ball at Tim Howard, the Everton goalkeeper, during the teams’ Uefa Cup tie in Bergen on Wednesday evening. Although Howard was not struck by the black “eight-ball”, Uefa is likely to take a dim view of the incident, thought to have occurred towards the end of Everton’s 2-0 victory over the Norwegian champions.

Anton Genov, the referee, is expected to mention the incident in his official report, which will be submitted to European football’s governing body this morning, after Phil Neville, the Everton captain, handed the pool ball to the Bulgarian official after the final whistle. Everton, who enjoyed a club record sixth straight European win, could also face sanction after about 30 of the club’s supporters ran on to the pitch at the end of the match to congratulate the players before clearing the field after pleas from Neville.

Although the situation passed off without incident, Uefa takes pitch invasions seriously and may choose to fine Everton. Similarly, Brann could be fined for failing to implement the necessary safeguards to prevent such behaviour.

“Maybe the stewarding is not as good as it is in England, but they should not really come on like that,” Neville said. “We have to remind ourselves how to behave in Europe and I hope there are not any repercussions because of that. It was really very harmless.

“I asked them to go back. They were just excited and wanted the players’ shirts. But in Uefa competitions, they do come down hard on people and I just wanted them to remember their responsibilities to Everton.”

Despite the unsavoury end to the match, it did not detract from a victory that makes Everton the favourites to progress to the last 16 of the competition when Brann visit Goodison Park for the return leg on Thursday.

David Moyes, the Everton manager, did not travel back with the team so that he could stay in Norway to watch last night’s match between Rosenborg and Fiorentina, one of whom Everton will face in the next round if they see off Brann.

For Yakubu Ayegbeni, it was the first step towards redemption after the Nigeria striker was omitted from the squad for the Barclays Premier League match against Reading last weekend and fined two weeks’ wages – about £80,000 – as punishment for returning late from the African Cup of Nations. Yakubu has yet to offer an acceptable explanation about why he did not return on time along with Joseph Yobo, his Everton and Nigeria teammate, but the forward is keen to put the matter behind him and focus on helping the club to flourish domestically and in Europe.

“It was bad and the gaffer was very angry,” Yakubu said. “I have to thank the players because they were behind me. They gave me support. I apologised to them all and I’m pleased it is all over. It was just personal reasons why I never turned up.

“I have spoken to the manager and now it is over. I think the players were glad to see me back. It is good to be in a team where you know the players want you and make you feel important.”

Yakubu reached the Uefa Cup final with Middlesbrough in 2006 and believes that Everton can do the same. “The Middlesbrough side had confidence that we would get to the final and it is the same here,” he said. “We are not frightened of anyone because the confidence is there. We want to achieve something together and we hope at the end of the season that will happen. We want this to be a great season for Everton. The momentum is behind us, but we are not going to get carried away.”