Everton player ratings and scores after the Carabap Cup second round tie against Mansfield Town at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Joe Thomas is the Everton FC correspondent for the Liverpool ECHO. He follows the Blues home and away, providing match reports, analysis and insight into events at Goodison Park, Finch Farm and beyond. Joe spent more than a decade covering news on Merseyside, working on award-winning investigations and extensively covering matters related to the Hillsborough tragedy - including the recent criminal prosecutions. Always grateful for tips and feedback, he can be contacted at joe.thomas@reachplc.com and on Twitter via @joe_thomas18
Harrison Armstrong reacts after his shot was saved during the English League Cup second round football match between Everton and Mansfield Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north west England on August 27, 2025
(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz and Beto scored second half goals to send Everton through to the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Blues started this fixture well but, after failing to take advantage of their early dominance, entered the break without having broken the deadlock and with Mansfield Town growing in confidence.
A fast start to the second half removed any anxiety, however, with Alcaraz finishing from 20 yards to give his team a lead they would not relinquish. Beto added a second late on with teenage midfielder Harrison Armstrong providing assists for both goals.
Mark Travers 6
A straightforward debut for the summer signing, whose biggest test would have been the curling effort that James Tarkowski headed clear midway through the second half.
Seamus Coleman 7
A big occasion for the club captain. Few have played as significant a role in Everton reaching this new home as the number 23 and the ‘sixty grand’ song dedicated to him was one of the first to break out among the home supporters.
Combative from the start, keen to get Everton on the front foot and nipping in front of Max Dickov in the opening minutes to help his team get a foothold in the Mansfield half. Picked the crowd up with two assertive challenges late in the first half as the away side enjoyed five minutes of frustratingly sustained possession.
Michael Keane 6
A comfortable night for the centre back, who possibly should have earned an assist after his pressing high up the pitch led to him sending Beto through on goal.
James Tarkowski 6
Important header to block a curling Regan Hendry effort in the second half. Dealt with the little sent his way with ease.
Vitalii Mykolenko (subbed off 86) 6
An important header at the back post to prevent Nathan Moriah-Welsh from a golden opportunity just as Mansfield ended the half on top. As comfortable a return from injury as he could have hoped and his availability is one of the biggest positives to have emerged from the game.
Jack Grealish (subbed off on 59) 6
Had the home supporters in raptures as he dropped back to defend an early Mansfield attack, blocking a cross before chasing down the loose ball and sliding in on Kyle Knoyle to concede a throw-in.
Created a good chance for Dwight McNeil and sent Harrison Armstrong into the box for another opportunity - but should have done better on his right foot from 16 yards moments later. Caught late in the first half by a challenge that went unpunished so an early bath made sense.
Harrison Armstrong 8
Always wanted the ball and looked comfortable against League One opposition. Shot straight at Roberts late in the first half when picked out by Grealish, though the angle was tight. Produced a perfectly timed, satisfying sliding challenge on Jamie McDonnell late in the first half when it looked like Mansfield had started to gain in confidence. Did well to stay patient on the ball while under pressure in the box in the build-up to Alcaraz’s goal.
Almost had a second assist of the night when his gorgeous pass sent Iliman Ndiaye into the box but the Senegal international could only poke into the side netting. Eventually claimed it when he met James Garner’s cute ball into the box and crossed for Beto to finish. Suggested he has plenty to offer Moyes this season.
James Garner 7
Returned to his favoured central midfield role and put in a competent display. Could have picked up an assist when he broke down the right and pulled back to Grealish, who sliced over from 16 yards.
Retained his patience on the edge of the box before turning and sending Armstrong behind the defence with an intelligent pass that was key to Beto’s goal.
Carlos Alcaraz (subbed off 77) 8
Looked good in his favoured position behind the attacker. Repeatedly linked up well with Barry. Had the first shot on target after taking the ball from Grealish, skipping a tackle and then forcing Liam Roberts into a good save from 20 yards. Found space with ease and was key to the intensity Everton started the second half with before producing a cute finish from 20 yards to break the deadlock.
Dwight McNeil (subbed off 77) 5
Almost caught out Roberts with an early free-kick he shaped to cross before spotting the keeper off his line. Swung a fantastic ball into Barry from the right midway through the first half but the striker could not quite adjust his body to direct his header on target. Should have done better when picked out, in space and on his favoured left foot, inside the box by Grealish moments later.
Drifted out of the game at the end of first half but was given the chance to make an impact in his preferred position when Grealish was taken off. Looked more comfortable and was involved in some passages of play that almost led to good moments but did not make a compelling case for greater involvement.
Thierno Barry (subbed off on 59) 6
Worked hard and was willing to drop deep to get the ball. Almost played Alcaraz through with a well-intentioned pass beyond the defence in the early stages. Linked up well with McNeil on a promising break that he started in the 10th minute and retained possession even when he was engulfed by defenders. Flicked Garner behind the left back to create a chance that Grealish should have done better with from 16 yards..
Subs
Tyler Dibling (subbed on for Grealish) 6
The ripple of excitement when it became clear he was coming on told the story of Everton’s summer as the club finally welcomed a player capable of filling the hole on the right wing. A few nice touches on a big night for the teenager, who looked comfortable on the ball and unphased by the occasion.
Beto (subbed on for Barry) 6
Shot tamely when he had time in the box after Keane’s challenge high up the pitch sent him into a great position and nodded wide from a testing Mykolenko cross. His arrival helped to stretch Mansfield and gave Everton a target over the top, but his end product was a source of frustration. Could not miss when Armstrong crossed for him late on and will hope that goal is a springboard for his season.
Tim Iroegbunam (subbed on for McNeil) 6
Came on late in the game and helped Everton to see the game out. Played the right pass with the game already won and with Beto in space and in the box, only for the striker to be denied by a sliding challenge.
Iliman Ndiaye (subbed on for Alcaraz) 6
Looked good in possession, as ever, and almost added a second when played in by Armstrong but was off balance and attacking the box from a tight-ish angle.
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Jake O’Brien (subbed on for Mykolenko) N/A
Played left back, which must be a new one for him.