CARLO’S BOYS FIND IT TOUGH
CARLO ANCELOTTI will today watch local side Marine in the knowledge that Everton are safely in the next round. But for much of this game, that went into extra time against a side in the Championship relegation zone, things were looking uncertain for the Toffees boss.
After a lightning start, through Cenk Tosun’s first Everton goal in 14 months, Paul Warne’s Rotherham deservedly struck back through Matt Olosunde – then worried the life out of their Premier League hosts and had the chances to cause an upset.
But after Ancelotti sent on the cavalry, substitute Abdoulaye Doucoure took advantage of a rare piece of magic from a largely subdued James Rodriguez to strike just three minutes into extra time.
Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson said: “They pushed us all the way and it was a bit of a relief because you always fear the worst.
‘‘It was a tough game and we’re delighted to be through the next round.”
It did not look like Everton would struggle early on after their bright start.
Tosun, almost the forgotten man in these parts, seized on a lacerating pass from youngster Anthony Gordon.
With Rotherham keeper Jamal Blackman advancing the Turkey international calmly chipped him.
But the home side then switched off, causing increasing consternation for their manager.
In a purple period for the visitors, Everton keeper Robin Olsen was forced into a fine double save to deny Olosunde and Dan Barlaser.
Then Michael Smith fired wide from close range and Olsen just managed to nip in ahead of Olosunde while Matt Crooks put a header onto the roof of the net.
Rotherham got their reward in the 56th minute when Olosunde took advantage of a ricochet off Tom Davies to steer a low effort past Olsen.
Tosun had an 86th-minute volley ruled out for offside following a VAR review, but the escape for Rotherham was shortlived as Rodriguez fed Doucoure to score the winner.
Millers boss Warne said: “I was proud of our performance out there today.
‘‘We showed them too much respect early on but then we took the game to them. I asked my boys not to leave anything out on the pitch. They didn’t and we could easily have won the game in normal time.”