**Everton reached the Carabao Cup third round by seeing off Mansfield Town.**
Charly Alcaraz broke the deadlock early in the second half with a curling effort from just outside the penalty area to beat Liam Roberts at his lefthand post.
The Blues doubled their advantage late in the tie when substitute Beto slotted home in front of the South Stand from Harrison Armstrong’s through pass.
David Moyes’ side now face a trip to Premier League counterparts Wolves.
_Here were the key talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium:_
‘Under the lights’ appeal grows
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History stalks seemingly every passing game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Fresh from last weekend’s record-setting first competitive fixture with Brighton, Everton’s new home added another early milestone to its fledging chapter.
Close to a sell-out crowd made a swift return to the banks of the River Mersey for Mansfield’s visit, with the visitors bringing an allocation of over 6,000 fans.
The Blues racked up their biggest home attendance in the League Cup since 1987, although it was not without its pitfalls as a staggered kick-off attests.
Teething problems around digital tickets led to some supporters unable to gain entry before the original 7.45pm start, making the delay necessary.
Such issues were always likely with the shift from a tried-and-tested system at Goodison Park to the long-awaited arena that now houses David Moyes’ side.
Games beneath the floodlights became the stuff of legend at their former abode, with seasoned fans considering it the ultimate matchday experience.
But if the new campaign’s opening cup encounter is anything to go by, that midweek magic has well and truly carried through to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Armstrong ready to reignite
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Harrison Armstrong’s Everton arch is firmly back up and running.
The homegrown midfielder was first catapulted into most supporters’ thoughts by his star turn in last season’s FA Cup third round win over Peterborough.
A promising loan spell with Derby County in the second half of that term did little to dampen hopes that Armstrong would be returning to the spotlight.
He offered a compelling case here against the Stags, with two second-half assists capping off successive Man of the Match displays for the club.
Still only 18, the West Derby native took some time easing into things but was soon illustrating qualities which belied those tender years before the interval.
Armstrong’s eagerness to embrace the action, be it with defence-saving challenges or goal involvements, makes him a genuine asset for Moyes.
In the past, the Everton manager has demonstrated a willingness to harness the production line which continues to churn out talents at Finch Farm.
He could do far worse than giving Armstrong an extended run of games.
McNeil’s XI audition falls flat
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Dwight McNeil finds himself an odd man out in Everton’s attacking ranks.
Amid the arrivals of Jack Grealish, Tyler Dibling and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the versatile winger faces a battle for a regular starting berth in Moyes’ plans.
Starting in a mix of automatic starters and fringe players, this tie was McNeil’s chance to convince Moyes that he is worthy of regular first-team involvement.
He started off promisingly enough with a free kick which Liam Roberts just about kept out but soon resorted to snatching at later attempts on goal.
But as Everton began to labour in the opening 45 minutes against their League One opponents, McNeil was guilty of fluffing his lines too often.
One shot scooped into the North Stand after being teed up by Grealish perfectly summed up his evening of tribulations in front of goal.
Arguably he was a victim of circumstance due to operating on a less-favoured right side of an attacking trident due to the £100 million man’s inclusion.
Still, McNeil is unlikely to be forcing his way into the regular XI anytime soon.