Everton beat Mansfield Town 2-0 in their first-ever cup game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to advance to the third round of the Carabao Cup.
It was a comfortable evening for David Moyes and his players who were hardly threatened by their League Two opponents. The Blues dominated possession and created all the chances, scoring twice through Charly Alcaraz and Beto in the opening and closing minutes of the first half.
Mansfield Town finished the match without any shots on target as the Blues backline, led by James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, captain Seamus Coleman, and the returning Vitalii Mykolenko held their own.
Tyler Dibling made his first appearance for the Blues, coming off the bench after an hour, while Mark Travers, making his Everton debut in between the sticks, had little to do. 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong looked impressive after playing the entire 90 minutes and assisting both of Everton’s goals on the night.
Ratings for Everton players against Mansfield Town:
Mark Travers - 6
The Everton debutant had very little to do during the match, to be honest. Looked comfortable while collecting crosses and clearing danger.
Seamus Coleman - 7
The Everton captain made his first start for the club at their new stadium after leading the boys out for one final time at Goodison Park in May. He may be past his prime physically, but Coleman’s wisdom, experience and grit was on show for most of the game. He snuffed out danger and asserted dominance on the right flank.
Michael Keane - 6
It was a comfortable game for Keane, whose pressing led to a chance for Beto, which he should’ve converted. Keane also ventured forward and took up spaces in the final third during the first half when the Blues were struggling to break through the Mansfield defence.
James Tarkowski - 6
Had an imposing game at the centre of the backline. Blocked an effort from Regan Hendry in the second half with his head which could’ve been Mansfield’s first shot on target.
Vitalii Mykolenko - 7 (subbed off for Jake O’Brien at 87’)
Promising game from Mykolenko on his return from injury. He ventured up and down the left flank and provided a cross in the second half that could’ve been scored by Thierno Barry.
James Garner - 7
Garner was back to his usual role in midfield, and along with young Harrison Armstrong, the duo did quite well. Garner provided the delicious ball that broke through the Mansfield defence before Armstrong squared it to Beto for a tap-in to secure the insurance goal for Everton late in the second half.
Harrison Armstrong - 8
Armstrong made the most of his opportunity and left a strong impression with his performance tonight. He always showed for the ball and was in the thick of things. The 18-year-old had his shot saved by the opposition keeper from an acute angle in the first half.
Armstrong showed composure for both his assists to Alcaraz and Beto tonight. He also sent a lovely ball through to Iliman Ndiaye who could only find the side netting with his toe poke attempt.
Jack Grealish - 7 (subbed off for Tyler Dibling on 60’)
Another strong performance from Everton’s statement summer signing, who showed plenty of intent. Grealish created great chances for Dwight McNeil and Armstrong, which they couldn’t convert in the first half. The 29-year-old could’ve scored his first goal for the club but wrapped his foot under the ball from close range.
Charly Alcaraz - 8 (subbed off for Iliman Ndiaye on 78’)
Charly Alcaraz had a lovely game after slotting into his natural number 10 role. He had Everton’s first shot on target with a lovely run and was lively while combining with teammates in the final third. Alcaraz also produced a great finish from the edge of the box to break the deadlock early in the second half.
Dwight McNeil - 6 (subbed off for Tim Iroegbunam on 78’)
While McNeil’s early crosses looked lethal from the right, they got predictable and easy to read after a while. He made a lovely mazy run in the second half and should’ve done better with the golden opportunity that Grealish teed him up with.
Faded out of the game after the half-hour mark and went to his favoured position on the left for a few minutes after Grealish got taken off, before coming off himself.
Thierno Barry - 6 (subbed off for Beto on 60’)
It was a mixed bag of a game for Barry, making it hard to rate him objectively. His holdup play was good and some of his touches and passes were smartly executed but the 6’4” Frenchman lacked lethal prowess inside the box. He was involved in the build-up to Everton’s opening goal.
Substitutes
Tyler Dibling - 6
Dibling was greeted by a huge roar from the crowd after making his first appearance in Blue at the hour mark. Kept things ticking and some of his touches and feints showed the class the 19-year-old possesses.
Beto - 6
It was an odd game for the Everton number 9. While he did get the all-important second goal to provide relief to the supporters, he also caused a lot of frustration on other occasions. Beto was played through on goal after Keane won the ball high up the pitch but his shot lacked power and conviction.
The Guinea-Bissau international also headed wide from a testing Mykolenko cross before failing to capitalise from a pass by Iroegbunam towards the closing stages.
Tim Iroegbunam - 6
Iroegbunam provided solidity in the middle of the park and helped his side see out the game. He could’ve bagged an assist had Beto been more clinical.
Iliman Ndiaye - 6
The Everton number 10 had a bright moment when he made his way into the box after being played through by Armstrong, only to find the side-netting with a cheeky toe-poke attempt.
Jake O’Brien - N/A
Came on in the dying minutes and slotted in at left-back, a new role for him.
Reader Comments (40)
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2 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:09:44
This squad must still be getting to know each other so things should get appreciably better.
3 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:20:56
4 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:28:05
5 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:44:34
6 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:49:16
7 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:52:46
Still we are in the next round which is a bonus, without too much egg on our faces, unlike a team up the M62. Can't see Amorim lasting the season out !
8 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:54:57
Derek, I don’t think we got any egg on our face from that performance. Commentators didn’t sound like they thought so either.
9 Posted 28/08/2025 at 00:15:21
Mind you, over at Grimsby, it was the 1 in 10 occurring
10 Posted 28/08/2025 at 00:27:28
Everyone tonight wanted to show, yes it was Mansfield but with respect they played well and were set up accordingly.
We are a great team in the making and with a few more additions we will challenge the top ? six, I have no doubts.
11 Posted 28/08/2025 at 00:55:55
12 Posted 28/08/2025 at 01:05:04
Charly was MOTM for me today, he was all over the pitch and battled for every ball.
13 Posted 28/08/2025 at 01:43:14
14 Posted 28/08/2025 at 02:45:25
Having said that I thought the rest of our play was pretty good.
Oh to have Richy back as our number 9.
15 Posted 28/08/2025 at 04:54:13
Iroegbunam also looks good. Keep him for rotation. I think CM looks good now.
16 Posted 28/08/2025 at 06:27:05
I won't dwell on the usual suspects.
Harrison Armstrong, not for the first time, more than impressed me. Calm on the ball and has an eye for a forward pass, more than a couple of perfectly weighted through balls onto the runner.
Dibling showed glimpses when he came on. Was it just me, or is he another who likes to cut in from the flank? Hard to say when I've only seen that fleeting cameo.
Special mentions to Seamus and Mykolenko. No disrespect to the opposition, Seamus rolling back the years and Mykolenko making a strong comeback from injury.
17 Posted 28/08/2025 at 06:34:57
18 Posted 28/08/2025 at 06:44:56
19 Posted 28/08/2025 at 06:45:31
I understand some younger players can improve greatly going out on loan, however, in Armstrongs case I think we will need him in the squad as the season progresses and injuries occur
We will also lose players to the African Nations and to be honest, as our squad is still thin, I don’t think anyone in our present squad, including Cherniti,should go out on loan unless we have a recall clause inserted
20 Posted 28/08/2025 at 06:48:42
Overall I thought it was a good run out. Mansfield were well organised and had a good away following. They got into a good shape, and our crossing was poor or chances scratched at.
We looked decent enough at the back. I thought the full backs could have played higher, and asked more questions - but they cant/wont/perhaps instructed not to. That was perhaps why we didnt create or dominate more with out numbering them where you needed it.
Danny, Dibbling is exactly that. A player that can go outside and cross with his right, but prefers to cut in with his left and shoot. Looks technically decent enough, and has a robust frame that looks like he can survive the rigours of top flight football.
21 Posted 28/08/2025 at 07:07:58
22 Posted 28/08/2025 at 09:27:13
23 Posted 28/08/2025 at 09:31:40
24 Posted 28/08/2025 at 09:57:00
He justified the good ratings
25 Posted 28/08/2025 at 10:05:04
For his development - he’d probably be better off going on loan until January, playing lots of games, then competing for a place when Gueye is at the African Cup of Nations
26 Posted 28/08/2025 at 10:19:57
Alcaraz scored a lovely goal, but last night playing in the 10 role to often wanted to drift back into his more natural midfield position and left Barry with no support. McNeil looked well off the pace but seeing how little game time he has had that's understandable, but I struggle to see him getting many starts this season, but he may be useful off the bench in some games. As far as young Dibling is concerned, we need no to expect to much in the first few weeks as he is learning the system we play and also learning about his team mates. Travers had little or nothing to do, flapped at the only corner he had to deal with but again you cant judge any player on 1 or 2 games.
27 Posted 28/08/2025 at 10:27:25
" You can't judge players on 1 or 2 games" Are you sure? There's plenty on ToffeeWeb who do just that unfortunately.
28 Posted 28/08/2025 at 10:33:30
29 Posted 28/08/2025 at 10:52:24
Kevin in post 25 suggests that seeing Harrison may only be 5th choice we should send him on loan, I do think he benefitted from his loan spell at Derby, but personally I think he should stay with the squad and I think many more performances like last night and he may be edging up that list to being one of the first choices.
30 Posted 28/08/2025 at 10:55:34
Personally I am still a little perplexed by the midfield signing and would-be-signing. As we seen again last night with Charly he can only play in a three man midfield box to box or as a number ten
Kevin suggests Harrison will become fifth choice but I still have doubts about KDH as an 8 defensively which were really exposed by Stach of Leeds. We also won't be making a big money right back signing or another left back so Garner will be needed in both roles. It could even be possible that he fills in at right back and makes the spot is own because he may compliment Dibbling quite well.
Gueye is our standout midfielder, we don't have another. The signing of KDH doesn't change that and so the other 4 will fight it out to become his partner. The links to Soucek are bizarre as I think we still need a quality player there. If we aren't bringing in a top quality midfielder then I don't want any as with Harrisons ability in addition to his potential for growth and development there is a chance to become a starting fixture not just a squad player.
31 Posted 28/08/2025 at 11:06:14
We have the nucleus of a really good team but we need a quality RB, a more competent CF and probably another holding MF player. They bypassed our MF (without Gueye) with relative ease several times last night.
And, Armstrong has earned the right to be in the squad.
32 Posted 28/08/2025 at 11:38:32
If Chemiti is leaving I'm disappointed I thought he would make it, but I suppose Moyes and his staff see more of him than us.
He may also want first team football and play regularly, not sat on his backside most of the time.
Both our centre forwards are big and tall, that doesn't make for being great with the ball at their feet, best more for corners and free kicks into the box and crosses from out wide.
If we can buy or loan two above average/class players plus a few journeymen we will have the best squad we have had for many years and we may be going places.
33 Posted 28/08/2025 at 11:44:16
34 Posted 28/08/2025 at 11:51:08
35 Posted 28/08/2025 at 13:16:19
36 Posted 28/08/2025 at 14:05:34
With the increased substitutions teams basically can change half the outfield players for the last 30 mins.
Everton have been cursed with shallow squads for years. Some of the worst results last year happened when the opposition had the ability to bring on good players in the later stages to freshen up, whilst Dyche just stuck with the same players, partly due to lack of options
37 Posted 28/08/2025 at 15:05:21
Wolves Right wing-back Ki-Jana Hoever suffered a knee injury versus Bournemouth, which will keep him out of Saturday’s game, good news for Jack Grealish.
Everton are one of the Premier League sides who could provide Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo with a late move.
Apparently West Ham owners are blocking Everton's move for Tomas Soucek.
38 Posted 28/08/2025 at 20:56:05
"Where's the best place to go this time of year?" asked the Manc.
"You can't beat Grimsby" the travel agent replied.
39 Posted 28/08/2025 at 21:32:15
40 Posted 29/08/2025 at 10:53:01
Love Harrison Armstrong he has got the lot talent pace skill determination.
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1 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:01:59
The allocation of tickets for this game was a joke to say the least. Emails sent to fans to download tickets at 18:13 on the night of the match is just not good enough.