Everton vs Sunderland. Carabao Cup Round 3.
Goodison ParkAttendance23,000.
Wednesday 20 September 2017 22:44, UK
Two goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin helped Everton beat Sunderland 3-0 in the Carabao Cup third round at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
The forward opened the scoring with a neat finish seven minutes before the break, before doubling his side's lead six minutes into the second half.
Substitute Oumar Niasse then completed the scoring on 82 minutes as the Toffees got back to winning ways after four straight defeats without scoring.
Nikola Vlasic and Sandro Ramirez both flashed volleys into the side-netting in the early stages, but just as the home fans were starting to voice their frustrations, Everton made the breakthrough.
Vlasic, signed from Hajduk Split in the summer, was involved by releasing Calvert-Lewin with a clever flick and the England U21 international drilled a low shot past Jason Steele to ease the tension around the ground.
That was Everton's first goal in seven and a quarter hours of football and they did not have to wait long after the break to score again through Calvert-Lewin.
Sandro Ramirez, who had endured a mostly wasteful evening, fed his strike partner down the left-hand channel of the box and faced with just Steele to beat, the 20-year-old kept his cool to fire the ball high into the roof of the net.
It could have got even better for Calvert-Lewin, but his diving header from Davy Klaassen's right-wing cross beat the flying Steele, only to strike the post just before the hour-mark.
And while James Vaughan twice came close to get the visitors back into the contest on his return to Goodison, it was Niasse who came off the bench to add a late third for Ronald Koeman's team.
The Everton forward has enjoyed an impressive start to the new season and he continued that form against Sunderland on Wednesday night.
He ended his side's long run without a goal by making the crucial first breakthrough, before then calming home nerves by doubling their advantage with a well-taken goal early in the second half.
Charlie Nicholas on Sky Sports Football: They very much needed that win. Calvert-Lewin has answered a few questions tonight to get two goals, and should have got a hat-trick, but only bad luck as he hit the post.
They were very short of confidence early doors, but Calvert-Lewin swept home the opener, rather than blasting it.
His second was a lovely finish, with a bit of pace and elevation and Everton finished with a bit of energy and pace.
Everton host Bournemouth at Goodison in the Premier League, while Sunderland entertain Cardiff City in the Championship, with both matches taking place on Saturday afternoon.
