Everton scrape past Fleetwood to progress in Carabao Cup and record first win of the new season
- Planet Sport writer
- 23 August 2022
Everton secured their first competitive victory of the season after narrowly beating Fleetwood Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Demarai Gray scored his second goal in three days as the Toffees secured a 1-0 victory at the Highbury Stadium.
Everton had the better start with Dwight McNeil wasting a glorious chance to open the scoring early in the game before Gray struck in the 28th minute after the visitors made the most of Brendan Wiredu's mistake at the back.
Fleetwood worked hard and caused the Toffees some problems with highly-rated youngster Cian Hayes forcing Asmir Begovic into a smart save on the stroke of half-time.
The goalkeeper then had to react sharply to tip over a header from his own defender Reece Welch five minutes into the second half.
Hayes continued to cause Everton's defence problems down the right and forced another fine save from Begovic low to his left as Scott Brown's side searched for a leveller.
The visitors' best moment of the second period came when Nathan Patterson tested Jakub Stolarczyk on the hour but they failed to add to their opener and held on for a narrow win.
Everton will now target their first Premier League victory of the new season when they travel away to Brentford on Saturday.
Fleetwood, on the other hand, return to league action with a trip to Lincoln.
