Iliman Ndiaye and Beto’s goals give Everton a much-needed morale boost with a 2-0 win against League One Peterborough, hours after sacking Sean Dyche; Armando Broja sent to hospital with serious-looking ankle injury.
Everton, unexpectedly, struggled past League One Peterborough and into the FA Cup fourth round, winning 2-0 just three hours after sacking Sean Dyche.
Dyche prepared and selected the players, but was not in the home dugout after days of speculation about his departure came to a climax when his dismissal was confirmed shortly after 4.30pm on Thursday.
Club veterans Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman approached the field and witnessed a familiar story unfold in front of them, with a Jarred Branthwaite stop denying Cian Hayes a possible opener after a corner bounced in the home box.
Everton were unable to break through League One’s leakiest defence until the 42nd minute, when Beto escaped the offside trap, latching onto Harrison Armstrong’s brilliant pass, rounding Nicholas Bilokapic, and slotting into an empty net.
Things were hardly more fluid after half-time, with Armstrong one of the few standouts, and the hosts’ difficult day was exacerbated when second-half substitute Armando Broja was forced off 20 minutes after coming on.
The Chelsea loanee was stretchered off with what appeared to be a major ankle injury, but it was decided not to transport him to hospital. He had already made only six appearances in his first half-season on Merseyside.
In extra time, Everton’s mood was lifted when Iliman Ndiaye scored their second penalty from the spot after Branthwaite was hauled down in the box. This confirmed Everton’s participation in Sunday’s fourth round draw.