ALL LAST NIGHT’S EFL CUP ACTION
Toffees’ victory is spoilt by injury to rookie Jarrad Salford City
EVERTON may well be forced to dive once more into the transfer market as disaster struck in the EFL Cup.
The Toffees’ win came at a cost last night when rookie defender Jarrad Branthwaite limped off after just 24 minutes, a victim of what appeared a serious ankle injury that saw him replaced by full-back Lucas Digne.
The absence of a centre-half on the bench spoke volumes about manager Carlo Ancelotti’s options at present. With first- choice Mason Holgate ruled out until the end of October, it leaves him with just two fit players in that position.
Ancelotti will surely be forced to step up his pursuit of Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori in a loan deal. The Blues have also been linked with a move for Barcelona centre-half Jean-Clair Todibo, who is valued at £20million.
And Ancelotti was given another headache by the form of his back-up striker Moise Kean, who looked desperately ineffective even against League Two Salford, despite converting a late penalty.
He has now scored just three times for Everton in 36 games since his £ 28m move from Juventus, and leaves Ancelotti vulnerable if he gets an injury up front.
The It a l ian made 10 changes from the weekend win at Spurs , and
Sal ford’s best chance fell to
Richie Towell after a clever header down from Ashley Hunter, but he blazed over from close range. And Salford failed to hit the target twice more, when Jason Lowe shot over early in both halves.
Everton’s blushes were spared by a towering header from Michael Keane, who converted Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner eight minutes into the tie, before the Iceland star and Kean added two late goals.
EVERTON: