Everton survive League Cup scares but Sheffield Utd crash out

After three successive defeats to start the league season, Everton were pushed to the brink of more misery by a Doncaster side sitting bottom of fourth tier League Two.

Everton boss Sean Dyche made just four changes in a bid to avoid a giant-killing at the Eco-Power Stadium. But Everton laboured throughout a dismal first half performance and fell behind in the 44th minute.

Joe Ironside punished sloppy defending to head Tommy Rowe's cross past Jordan Pickford despite the visitors' appeals for offside. Dyche sent on Portuguese striker Beto, signed from Udinese for £30 million this week, for his debut at the start of the second half.

Beto scored 21 Serie A goals in two seasons with Udinese and the 25-year-old quickly put his predatory instincts on display in a Toffees shirt.

Sprinting onto Abdoulaye Doucoure's hopeful pass forward in the 73rd minute, Beto got behind the Doncaster defence and guided a clinical finish into the far corner for Everton's first goal this season.

Arnaut Danjuma then spared their blushes with a composed strike from the edge of the area in the 88th minute. Sheffield United's miserable start to the season hit a new low with a 3-2 penalty shoot-out loss to third tier Lincoln at Bramall Lane.

After a drab 90 minutes ended goalless, Lincoln goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saved spot-kicks from Louis Marsh and Benie Traore to hand the Blades a fourth successive defeat.

Burnley won 1-0 at fellow top-flight side Nottingham Forest thanks to Zeki Amdouni's close-range volley in second half stoppage-time. In the night's other tie, Championship side Blackburn thrashed fourth tier Harrogate 8-0.

 

August 30, 2023