Everton 1-1 Southampton (5-6 on penalties)
by James Nalton 
at Goodison Park

Alex McCarthy saved an Ashley Young penalty in a shootout to see Southampton through to the last 16 of the EFL Cup at Everton’s expense on Tuesday night.

Everton created the better chances throughout 90 minutes, and though Southampton dominated possession with 74%, they didn’t pose much of a threat.

Everton took the lead when McCarthy couldn’t get enough on a Dwight McNeil corner to clear the danger.

The inswinging corner from McNeil was on target, and centre-back Jake O’Brien did well to keep the ball in play after McCarthy’s intervention before Michael Keane headed back in for Abdoulaye Doucoure to turn home.

Southampton’s equaliser also came from a set piece. Captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed home at the far post from Charlie Taylor’s cross.

Everton were the better team but having now exited the cup on top of losing all four of their games in the Premier League so far this season, they will take no solace from that.

There were promising signs from Danish winger Jesper Lindstrom who is on loan at Everton from Napoli this season, but his decision-making in the final third let him down.

The 24-year-old offers much-needed pace in a side that has lacked such a threat since Anthony Gordon left for Newcastle.

His good movement coupled with that speed saw him get on the the end of a Doucoure through-ball in the first half, but his shot was saved by McCarthy when the better option would have been to square to Beto.

Some good play from Beto in the second half led to another good chance for Lindstrom who burst through on goal, but he was again thwarted by McCarthy.

The missed chances summed Everton up, but if Lindstrom can start to make better decisions in the final third, and his speed can complement the glaring talent of another new signing Iliman Ndiaye, there might be a couple of positives hidden beneath Everton's disappointing start to the season.