Jake O'Brien in action against Wolves
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Jake O'Brien in action against Wolves
Republic of Ireland defender Jake O'Brien returned to the Everton starting XI as the Toffees edged past Wolves 1-0 in their third-round Carabao Cup tie.
Four days on from his seasonal bow against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League as a substitute, manager David Moyes handed the Cork man his first start after a tricky start to the season.
The 25-year-old had been linked with a move away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium amid a reported desire to play in his natural centre-back position rather than the right back berth he had made his own last season.
Moyes pitted him at the heart of the Everton defence against Wolves, and played the full 90 minutes as Charly Alcaraz scored the only goal of the game just three minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The Argentinian had played just 14 minutes all season but belied his lack of match sharpness with a quick switch of the ball from one foot to the other to guide a left-footed shot past former Toffees goalkeeper Joao Virginia in the 80th minute.
It also represented a minor success for Tyler Dibling, whose career has not really taken off since his £35m move from Southampton just over a year ago, as he claimed the assist at the end his most encouraging performance for the club.
Alcaraz's only other Everton goal came 13 months ago in this competition against Mansfield and he has remained a fringe player.
Republic of Ireland internationals Matt Doherty and Tom Cannon were on the losing side as Fleetwood moved into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup for the first time as the League Two outfit stunned Championship Sheffield United at Highbury.
Cannon managed to get the ball into the net for the Blades, but it was ruled out for offside.
A 57th-minute Rhys Norrington-Davies own goal was the difference between the sides, but were fully deserving of the win.
Matt Lawlor's side, unbeaten now in nine games in all competitions, had another Danny Andrew effort ruled out for offside and twice hit the woodwork in a dominant second-half display.
And it was left-back Andrew’s searching left-wing cross that Norrington-Davies nodded beyond keeper Michael Cooper to give the fourth-tier outfit a historic victory.
United started positively and Ollie Arblaster had a goalbound effort blocked after only 36 seconds.
But Mark Helm forced Blades goalkeeper Cooper into a seventh-minute save before former United star Ched Evans put his follow up header narrowly wide.
Jay Lynch denied Joe Rothwell as the visitors attacked again but Cooper was the busier, saving from Lewis McCann and Crispin McLean.
Helm’s dipping right-foot effort from 18 yards grazed the top netting as Fleetwood finished the first half in the ascendancy.
United finally came to life in the last 10 minutes with Lynch brilliantly denied Sydie Peck and Ben Brereton Diaz while Cannon saw a goalbound strike superbly blocked.
Tammy Abraham scored twice on his first start of the season as Aston Villa booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over Coventry.
Abraham started over summer signing Nicolas Jackson and cashed in on his chance to pile more early season misery on to Frank Lampard's side who were beaten for a second time at home in the space of a week.
Both teams have shared early season struggles in front of goal in the Premier League, with Coventry still yet to find the net while Villa only scored once, so few would have been blamed for not expecting goals.
But Villa have saved their best goalscoring form for the cup matches so far this season and Abraham slotted Villa in front before Victor Torp's sublime free-kick got Coventry level.
Tammy Abraham wheels away after scoring his second goal
Ross Barkley punished the hosts from a corner five minutes before the break to give the visitors the lead heading into the interval.
And set-pieces proved to be the Sky Blues’ downfall as they conceded from a corner for a second time in the contest when Abraham tapped home from John McGinn’s delivery.
Tammy Abraham scored twice on his first start of the season as Aston Villa booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over Coventry.
Abraham started over summer signing Nicolas Jackson and cashed in on his chance to pile more early season misery on to Frank Lampard's side who were beaten for a second time at home in the space of a week.
Both teams have shared early season struggles in front of goal in the Premier League, with Coventry still yet to find the net while Villa only scored once, so few would have been blamed for not expecting goals.
But Villa have saved their best goalscoring form for the cup matches so far this season and Abraham slotted Villa in front before Victor Torp's sublime free-kick got Coventry level.
Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham wheels away after scoring his second goal