NEARLY 200 Everton supporters failed to show for last night’s game after their plane was grounded in the wake of a dispute between airline and airport. The 1,000 fans who did make the journey to the Romanian capital must have wished their flight had suffered a similar fate as Everton were humiliated by a Dynamo Bucharest side full of industry and invention.

Only a minor footballing miracle will prevent the Merseyside club from bowing out of the Uefa Cup at the first-round stage when the teams meet in the second leg at Goodison Park in a fortnight’s time.

This was Everton’s sixth defeat in seven games and fourteenth in 20 competitive matches, but while David Moyes, the manager, refused to entertain talk of a crisis — a “crisis is something that has happened (with Hurricane Katrina) in New Orleans, not in football” — he described this abject defeat as his “lowest moment” in management. “It was as bad as anything I can remember,” Moyes, who has all but given up hope of qualifying for the group stage, said.

Whether he can motivate his players in time for the trip to Highbury on Monday remains to be seen. Arsenal annihilated Everton 7-0 last season but on the basis of this performance, it is impossible to rule out the likelihood of a repeat, even if Thierry Henry will be absent through injury.

Moyes had demanded improvement after Saturday’s dismal 1-0 defeat by Portsmouth and, after a first half that Everton dominated despite falling behind, the manager appeared to get his wish.

All hopes of a positive result were dashed by four goals in a scintillating second half, although Ioan Andone, the Dynamo coach, rubbed salt into Everton wounds by suggesting that his team had played to only “80 per cent” of their ability.

There has been much debate in recent weeks about whether the 4-5-1 system is killing the Barclays Premiership’s entertainment value, but after an abortive attempt to play 4-4-2 at the weekend, Moyes initially appeared justified in reverting to the formation that has served him so well over the past year.

With Phil Neville restored to central midfield, Everton looked a far more solid unit and nearly took a fortuitous lead after four minutes when James McFadden’s teasing cross eluded everyone only to sail inches wide of the far post. But luck has been in precious little supply for Everton this season and, in the 27th minute, Dynamo edged in front.

Ianis Zicu scooped the ball over a flat-footed Nuno Valente and into the path of Florentin Petre. From the right byline, the midfield player crossed first time for Claudiu Niculescu, whose brave header under pressure from David Weir dribbled over the goalline.

Within three minutes of conceding, Everton were level. Simon Davies whipped in a free kick from the right that was met powerfully in the air by Joseph Yobo from 12 yards out. It was the Nigeria defender’s first goal for 16 months. Not that the visiting supporters were smiling for long.

Only six minutes of the second period had elapsed when Zicu, a constant threat, swept home Niculescu’s cross with a breathtaking volley. Zicu was soon in the thick of it again, feeding Florin Bratu, only for the substitute to be thwarted by Nigel Martyn’s right boot.

A 30-yard strike from Petre in the 70th minute put Dynamo 3-1 in front before Everton’s misery was compounded by two late goals from Bratu.

DYNAMO BUCHAREST (4-3-2-1): U Hayeu — L Goian, G Tamas, C Moti, C Pulhac — F Petre (sub: G Galamaz, 83min), A Margaritescu, M Plesan — I Zicu, S Grigorie (sub: V Munteanu, 79) — C Niculescu (sub: F Bratu, 61). Substitutes not used: A Guso, A Baltoi, A Cristea, I Balan. Booked: Plesan.

EVERTON (4-5-1): N Martyn — T Hibbert, J Yobo, D Weir, N Valente — P Neville, L Osman, S Davies (sub: K Kilbane, 70), T Cahill, J McFadden (sub: D Ferguson, 79) — M Bent. Substitutes not used: R Wright, Li Tie, M Ferrari, M Arteta, M Hughes. Booked: Cahill.

Referee: G Paparesta (Italy).