It was by no means as comprehensive as Everton's previous trip to Highbury Stadium in 2020, but there can only be positives to take from Frank Lampard's side securing a 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening.
Now into the third round of the Carabao Cup, the Blues will hope to progress deep into the competition as the club's search for silverware goes on. Demarai Gray's first half strike proved to be the difference between the sides, with the hosts unable to issue a response after the break.
Much of the talk heading into the game had centred around Anthony Gordon, though the 21-year-old was forced to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench as his future remains in doubt.
VERDICT: Amadou Onana learns 'uncomfortable' lesson as Anthony Gordon question lingers after Everton win
PLAYER RATINGS: Demarai Gray lively and Nathan Patterson impressive at Fleetwood Town
Amadou Onana was handed a first start for the club in midfield, meanwhile both Lewis Warrington and Stanley Mills made their professional debuts. Below is a round-up of how the national media reacted to Everton's triumph over their League One opponents.
'Bluenoses can still dream about a first major trophy since 1995'
Joe Bernstein of the Daily Mail wrote:
"Demarai Gray answered a late SOS to ensure Everton recorded their first win of the season and avoided cup embarrassment at League One Fleetwood.
"Gray was promoted from the substitutes’ bench shortly before kick off when intended starter Tom Davies had a groin problem.
"It proved fortuitous for Frank Lampard’s side as Gray – the only Everton player to have scored in the Premier League this season – converted the winner after 28 minutes. Fleetwood, 14th in their division, did manager Scott Brown proud to run the Premier League side close but Bluenoses can still dream about a first major trophy since 1995 – when the Cod Army were still a non-league club."
'Everton's class prevailed'
Jamie Jackson of the Guardian wrote:
"In the Carabao Cup Everton certainly enjoy being beside the sea: twice in two years in this competition they have departed the Lancashire coast with victory over Fleetwood Town.
"This win was far harder than the 5-2 rout of 2020 when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge, as the 14th-ranked League One team went close to proving the banana skin in waiting they appeared.
"But Everton’s class, as it should, prevailed and Frank Lampard can be grateful for a first win of the campaign following an insipid start in the Premier League that has yielded a solitary point from the nine available."
'A victory they had to work hard for'
PA Sport via the Independent wrote:
"A first-half goal from Demarai Gray, who was a late addition to the Everton starting line-up after Tom Davies was injured in the warm-up, gave Frank Lampard’s side a victory they had to work hard for.
"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."
'A few bruises as souvenirs'
Chris Beesley of the Liverpool Echo wrote:
"If Lampard thought this might be an opportunity to ease his £33.5million recruit in gently, he didn’t factor for the rough tactics deployed by Scott Brown’s men who did their best to get stuck into the Belgian international as often as possible.
"While Onana promises so much, with him standing at an imposing 6ft 5in, it’s sometimes easy to forget he’s actually younger than Gordon – who was left on the bench here – and while there’s a confident and gifted player within that huge frame, he’s still very much green when it comes to the English game and Fleetwood did all they could to make it an uncomfortable evening for him.
"Thankfully for the recruit from Lille, he had Everton’s most-consistent performer of the fledgling campaign alongside him in Alex Iwobi - but he’ll likely have a few bruises as souvenirs from his trip to the seaside."
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