An overview of how the national media covered Everton's 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Mansfield Town
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Carlos Alcaraz of Everton celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Carabao Cup second round match between Everton and Mansfield Town at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after opening the scoring for Everton against Mansfield Town
(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Everton overcame a resilient Mansfield Town to book a trip to Wolves in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Goals from Carlos Alcaraz and Beto sealed the win in front of almost 50,000 supporters at Hill Dickinson Stadium - a number boosted by 6,000 travelling fans.
Everton dominated the first half but went into the break with growing anxiety after failing to score and then watching the League One side grow in confidence. But any nerves were quickly calmed by Alcaraz after the restart before Beto doubled the advantage in the closing minutes.
It is early days for the Blues at their new home but the national media focused on the positive start led by David Moyes, with several making the point the competition presented the best opportunity to bring immediate success to this new era for the club.
Among them was Paul Joyce, who wrote in The Times: “The scale of Everton’s ambition suddenly knows no bounds. It is not simply the sense of grandeur at the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium that fires the imagination, but David Moyes’s rallying cry that silverware must be a target this season.
“The first step towards that was negotiated with a victory over League One Mansfield Town, which was more convincing than the scoreline suggests.”
In his programme notes, Blues boss Moyes had made reference to the example set last season by domestic cup winners Crystal Palace and Newcastle United. The Premier League was the priority, but this is a manager, club and fanbase that would attach importance to a cup run.
Dom King wrote in the Mail: “The team sheet told the story: Nothing experimental, no unnecessary risks, just a solid line up to get the wheels turning and put a journey into motion.
“It was never going to be any other way, with David Moyes, but still it was reassuring. While some of his counterparts shuffled the desk and pulled out Jokers – a penny for your thoughts, Ruben Amorim – Everton’s manager was never going to bet the house so early.
"Why would he? For Moyes to gamble with the potential of a long run in the EFL Cup, against a side as well drilled and committed as Mansfield, would have been nonsensical and there is no chance he would ever do something like that, not when the best avenue to a big day is in this competition.”
Shamoon Hafez was positive about how the display reflected on Everton as he wrote for BBC Sport: “Moyes' men have made it back-to-back victories without conceding following their move from Goodison Park and were in control for large periods during Wednesday's contest – the first to be played under floodlights at the venue.
“There could be more incomings in their remaining days of the transfer window, but this Everton side are well organised under Moyes and will be aiming to make the place a home fortress.”
Meanwhile, in the Guardian, Andy Hunter pointed to the contributions of Alcaraz and teen starlet Harrison Armstrong in ensuring there was no slip up. He said: “The first game under the lights at Hill Dickinson Stadium was illuminated by Carlos Alcaraz’s eye for goal and the promise of Harrison Armstrong. Everton’s cutting edge remains a work in progress but an awkward tie against Mansfield was negotiated in straightforward fashion. Eventually.
“Nigel Clough’s resolute League One team restricted their Premier League hosts for 51 minutes only for Alcaraz to ease Everton anxieties with an accomplished finish from 20 yards. Armstrong, the 18-year-old homegrown talent who impressed on loan at Derby last season, was the provider and he created a second for Beto as Everton made it two wins from two matches at their new home.”
It was the performance of Armstrong that also dominated the ECHO’s post-match thoughts: “Harrison Armstrong was in danger of becoming the forgotten man of the Blues’ summer as David Moyes’ squad rebuild threatened to halt his march towards the first team. But in a game in which some of his more illustrious teammates flattered to deceive it was the 18-year-old whose intelligence and composure proved crucial to ending the League One side’s stubborn stand.
“There should be little surprise the England youth international had the quality to stand out against the visitors - he impressed at a higher level while on loan with Derby County last year. With squad positions still up for grabs and Moyes still seeking depth in the middle, the academy product produced a compelling argument to remain part of his plans beyond next week.”