By Robert Wheeler
- Fulham shock Tottenham
- Chelsea see off Wimbledon
- Everton defeat Doncaster
England – The second round of the EFL Cup saw Fulham shock Spurs and there were narrow escapes for both Chelsea and Everton.
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Silva’s side shocks Spurs
Ange Postecoglou was thought to be the man to bring the good times back to Tottenham Hotspur, after his fantastic start to the Premier League season. Fans would even have had expectations that he could finally deliver them a trophy after 15 years with no silverware. However, their defeat to Fulham in the EFL Cup has brought expectations back down to Earth.
Spurs did play a weakened side as Postecoglou made nine changes to their starting lineup. The gamble did not pay off as they conceded to a Micky van de Ven own-goal in the first half.
Whilst Marco Silva‘s side was temporarily down to 10 men as Kenny Tete went to change his boot, Richarlison headed in from an Ivan Perisic cross to equalise. Spurs may have started with a second-string team but they still were able to bring on James Maddison and Heung-Min Son. However, even with these players on, they could not prevent the tie from going to penalties.
Davinson Sanchez missed in the shootout for Spurs and with Fulham scoring all of theirs, it allowed Tete the chance to win it. Tete being off the pitch had been a factor in his team conceding in normal time. However, the defender slotted his penalty in to send the Cottagers through. Fulham will play Norwich City in the third round.
Fernandez rescues Chelsea
Chelsea was in danger of a giant-killing when local rivals AFC Wimbledon went a goal up against them at Stamford Bridge. James Tilley smashed in from the spot to give the visitors the lead. However, the Blues pegged them back just before half-time when Noni Madueke won and slotted in his penalty.
Enzo Fernandez came off the bench to win the tie for Chelsea as he swept the ball into an empty net in the second half. Mauricio Pochettino‘s side had chances to make the scoreline more convincing but for the fine form of Wimbledon’s goalkeeper, Alex Bass.
Chelsea’s reward for the victory is a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. A match that will see recent signing Moises Caicedo go up against his former club.
Wimbledon are currently fifth in League Two, so Johnnie Jackson‘s side can take heart from a very good performance against one of the country’s top sides.
Everton survive a scare
Given Everton’s poor start to the Premier League where they are currently pointless after three matches. It would not have given their fans much optimism if they lost to Doncaster Rovers who are currently bottom of the Football League.
However, Rovers took the lead at the end of the first half. Joe Ironside glanced in a diving header from a Tommy Rowe cross to give his side the advantage. Sean Dyche did not waste any time changing his team at the break. The manager made three substitutions which included bringing on the new signing from Udinese, Beto.
The Portuguese forward equalised when he latched onto a long ball from Abdoulaye Doucoure before slotting the ball into the net. Beto then hit the post before their victory was secured late on when Arnaut Danjuma fired in from the edge of the box. Everton will play Aston Villa in the next round of the competition.
It may have only been a victory over a team that is 24th in League Two but this could be the spark that the Toffees needed to kickstart their top-flight campaign. Likewise, Doncaster can take a lot from pushing Dyche’s side all the way in this tie.
Best of the rest
Blackburn Rovers had the most emphatic victory of the night as they defeated Harrogate Town 8-0. John Buckley scored a brace and they will be up against Cardiff City in the second round.
Luton Town won their first game of the season at Kenilworth Road as they beat Gillingham 3-2. The Hatters face Exeter City next in the competition.
In an all-Premier League tie, Burnley defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0 thanks to a goal from Zeki Amdouni. The Clarets will play Salford City who defeated Leeds United next.
The EFL Cup will return on Tuesday, 26 September, with five all-Premier League fixtures.
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