Sean Dyche was pleased with how Everton overcame the “noise” around their alarming start to the season to take a “mini step forward” by beating Doncaster in the Carabao Cup.
Bottom of the Premier League having conceded seven without reply across their two opening matches, the Toffees desperately needed to lift the mood ahead of Bournemouth’s visit on Saturday.
Everton stuttered in the first half against League Two outfit Doncaster, but Dwight McNeil got a toe on a first-time Tim Iroegbunam strike shortly after half-time to settle nerves at Goodison Park.
Full debutant Iliman Ndiaye went on to add a superb solo effort before Beto prodded home late on to seal a 3-0 victory and progress to the third round.
“In many ways (it was satisfying), yeah,” Toffees boss Dyche said. “I think the first thing is the performance level.
“Without really opening too much in the first half, I thought it was a very solid performance and we were asking questions.
“Second half, a little bit more freedom came into the play, particularly in the top third, which is what I spoke to them about at half-time and I’m pleased they delivered that.
“We scored three goals – on another day could have had maybe another couple – so overall pleasing.
“You know, a lot of noise about our start, but I think it showed we’ve still got a group that are alive here and some good players.”
There is little chance of Dyche or his players getting ahead of themselves after overcoming Doncaster, but it was progress at the end of a chastening start to the Premier League season.
“We want all of the group to lay down markers,” the Everton boss said. “It’s not just about new players, it’s about every player.
“Can they keep evolving, if you like, for the next challenge? That’s what we’ve had to do many times.
“Challenges come, we have to go again and go again and go again, and there’s another challenge at the moment.
“So, that’s a mini step forward. The reason why I say a mini step forward is because it’s a cup competition.
“The league is the be-all and end-all. We all know that, so our next step is going into Saturday and deliver a performance that can win on Saturday.”
Doncaster had started their first trip to Goodison Park since 1985 brightly but the gulf in individual quality between Premier League and League Two showed in the end.
Boss Grant McCann said: “I thought we were good first half. I thought we played well, kept the ball well, caused some problems, had a good few efforts at their goal, particularly from set plays. We looked inventive.
“But look, second half probably just sums up the difference in the quality.
“I feel like I’ve got a brave team who will obviously overcome this and react to this and look forward to Saturday (at Port Vale).”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
