A round-up of the national media reaction to Everton’s penalty shoot-out exit against Southampton in the Carabao Cup
Everton’s woes continued as they were beaten on penalties by Southampton in what proved to be the last-ever League Cup tie at Goodison Park. Here’s what the national media had to say about the Blues’ third round exit from the competition.
David Anderson, Mirror
Ashley Young missed in the penalty shoot-out as Everton’s miserable campaign hit a new low. Young’s effort was saved by Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after the 11 previous penalty takers had all scored. His fluffed attempt prompted many disillusioned Evertonians to leave in what could be the last cup game at Goodison Park. Many fans are losing patience with Sean Dyche at this fifth defeat in six games and they booed when he brought Young on for striker Beto. US billionaire Dan Friedkin is considering renewing his takeover bid, two months after pulling out, and Everton will hope he does not focus on this game.
READ MORE: What supporters did before penalty shootout sums up Everton mood as transfer drought goes onREAD MORE: Everton sickness bug explained as Sean Dyche makes admission over selection crisis
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Everton were poor and Jesper Lindstrom missed twice when clean through in this Carabao Cup third-round tie. Their defence, which was the fourth best in the Premier League, remains as watertight as a sieve.
The home fans were simmering and their anger boiled over when Dyche replaced striker Beto with left-back Young and they booed what they saw as a negative move. They did not care that Dyche pushed McNeil forward into an attacking role and Dyche is running out of time in their eyes.
Will Unwin, Guardian
It was almost inevitable that the two current worst teams in the Premier League would require a penalty shootout to settle their Carabao Cup third round tie. In the end, after 90 forgettable minutes, Southampton earned a somewhat morale-boosting sudden-death victory over Everton. Both teams have each failed to trouble the points column in their opening four league games and the lack of confidence was telling at Goodison Park. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Taylor Harwood-Bellis traded first-half headers but everything was decided from 12 yards, as Ashley Young saw the 12th spot-kick saved by Alex McCarthy.
There was obvious discontent in the stands as Sean Dyche was repeatedly criticised throughout the night, culminating with the much-maligned Young being the ultimate culprit in the defeat. Being out of the competition will do little to worry Everton and Dyche, allowing them to offer further focus onto what will be a relegation fight. That battle continues at Leicester on Saturday where a fifth league defeat will increase the pressure, although those inside the club remain calm. Their main concern is completing a much-protracted takeover, complicated by a new bid from the Friedkin Group this week, despite John Textor having a period of exclusivity running until the end of November.
Joe Thomas’ video views on the game
Richard Tanner, Daily Telegraph
Everton’s early season crisis deepened when they crashed out of the Carabao Cup after a shoot-out with fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton.
After the first 11 penalties were all successfully converted, Ashley Young, the most experienced man on the pitch, saw his spot kick saved by Alex McCarthy to put Southampton through.
Lindstrom should have made it 2-0 when he was sent through by Doucoure’s pass but saw his shot saved by McCarthy when squaring the ball to the supporting Beto would have been the better option.
Everton were made to pay for the wasted opportunity when Southampton equalised in the 32nd minute from their own set-piece, Taylor Harwood-Bellis escaping his marker McNeil to score a powerful downward header at the far post from Charlie Taylor’s free-kick.
Lindstrom wasted an almost identical chance to his first half opportunity early in the second period when he was sent clean through by Beto but his shot was well saved by the advancing McCarthy.
Chris Beesley’s video views on the game
Joe Bernstein, Daily Mail
Ashley Young missed in the penalty shoot-out as Everton crashed out of the Carabao Cup against their fellow Premier League strugglers. Young saw his spot-kick saved by Alex McCarthy to cap a miserable evening for the 39-year-old whose arrival as a second-half substitute was greeted by boos from fans disappointed to see striker Beto removed. The veteran was fortunate not to concede a penalty in the final minute when he challenged Tyler Dibling but his luck ran out when his spot-kick was struck at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper to save.
Joe Thomas, Liverpool Echo
It was fitting that Everton’s Carabao Cup campaign would end with a fierce effort struck too close to Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. That was the story of the night. The question that now matters is this: What happens next?
There is a case to argue that this result does not really matter. Following the defeat to Aston Villa, Sean Dyche acknowledged that, as seriously as he took the cup competitions, the Premier League had to be his priority this season. Few fans would dispute that.
And context is important to this result – Dyche had to patch together a side at short notice after illness added to the injuries that already restrict his options. Even then, Everton could – and probably should – have won this match.
But the problem is this is not a defeat that sits in isolation. It is another loss that will add to the frustration created by a miserable start to a generation-defining season for Everton. This could be the final cup game hosted by Goodison Park and, if that is to be the case, this was a disappointing full stop on that storyline. The Grand Old Lady’s final year has so far been characterised by celebrations in the away end, not the home stands. That needs to change.
- Click here for Joe Thomas’ full match Verdict