Everton, who are struggling at the start of the Premier League season, faced League Two side, Doncaster Rovers, in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Everton were in need of a confidence-boosting win, and they found it in a dominant performance against Doncaster. The Blues secured their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory, with three of their summer signings impressing.
Sean Dyche included three new summer signings who were yet to make their full Everton debuts in the team. The lineup included James Garner and Seamus Coleman, who both returned from injury. James Tarkowski was rested in an effort to get him fully fit for the weekend, while Patterson, Branthwaite and Chermiti are still out injured.
Everton had plenty of early possession in the first half, with Coleman swinging in the first cross that was repelled. Beto won a free-kick that was wasted and it needed a fine tackle by Iroegbunam to get the ball back.
From a decent ball forward by Mykolenko, McNeil eventually played a fine cross to Beto that he could not convert, sliding in with the goal at his mercy. A slack backpass avoided a repeat of Pickford's weekend error. Garner tried to play in Beto but the ball didn't reach him.
The play in the first half had been largely shapeless and scrappy from both sides with many a turnover, and inspiring only that classic cliche: you could not tell which side was from the Premier League.
The second half just continued with poor play all over until Lindstrøm laid the ball nicely for Iroegbunam to strike goalward, with Dwight McNeil apparently getting the final touch. Everton had finally scored their first goal of the new season.
Lindstrøm played forward to Beto but he just could not keep possession of the ball, just running into trouble, and not for the first time. Garner drove down the inside right channel and powered his shot across goal. Ndiaye attacking down the left channel saw his shot blocked for a corner that didn't really come off.
Ndiaye skipped away from his marker and crossed perfectly onto the once of Beto but he could only glance it well wide when it looked easier to burst the net and it was time for some substitutions, Young getting booked almost immediately after he came on.
Hurst just didn't hit his shot strong enough to beat Pickford. At the other end, Ndiaye drove forward and fired low to beat Lawlor in off the near post and score Everton's second.
McNeil then drove down the middle and saw his shot tipped over. A Doncaster corner yielded a free header on target, blocked clear. Some nice interplay building around the Doncaster area ended with Harrison blasting over.
Finally, a flowing passing move, McNeil to Mykolenko, ended with Beto poking in the third goal.
Everton's New Faces Impress
Everton's three new summer signings, Beto, Jesper Lindstrøm, and Iliman Ndiaye, all made their full debuts for the Toffees in the game. All three players impressed in the game, showing their quality and potential.
Beto, a forward who joined Everton from Udinese, was a constant threat to the Doncaster defense. He scored the third goal, and his movement and hold-up play were impressive.
Lindstrøm, a midfielder who joined Everton from Eintracht Frankfurt, displayed his technical ability and creativity. He was involved in the build-up to Everton's first goal, and he created several other chances throughout the game.
Ndiaye, a winger who joined Everton from Sheffield United, showed his pace and directness. He scored Everton's second goal, and he was a constant threat down the left flank.
Everton's Match-Winning Performance
Everton's performance against Doncaster was a marked improvement from their previous two games in the Premier League. They were dominant in possession, they created numerous chances, and they looked more confident and composed in their passing and movement.
The Blues' victory was a welcome boost for Sean Dyche's side, who desperately needed a win to build some momentum. The performance of the new signings will give the Everton fans plenty of reason to be optimistic about the rest of the season.
Everton's New Era
Everton's victory over Doncaster was a sign of the new era under Sean Dyche. The Blues are looking to build a more solid and disciplined team, and the performance against Doncaster was a positive step in the right direction.
The Blues have a lot of work to do, but the performance of the new signings, coupled with the return of key players like Coleman and Garner, gives the Everton fans reason to be hopeful about the future.