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| Everton players celebrate progressing through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup |
EVERTON'S record in the League Cup has become such a tale of under-achievement and missed opportunities that it seems they no longer know how to accomplish the straight-forward.
Roberto Martinez witnessed his side flirt with elimination for the third successive tie in this term’s competition before finally progressing to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008 by virtue of penalties.
Joel Robles emerged as Everton’s hero, thwarting Wes Hoolahan from 12-yards, and then seeing Nathan Redmond miss the target, to apply another layer of polish on what had been an impressive personal display.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s performance may have offered a reminder to Martinez that he possesses an able alternative to the jittery Tim Howard, but there appears to be no dilemma.
Robles will return to the substitutes’ bench against Sunderland on Sunday with his manager unequivocal.
“It's very clear (Tim will come back in),” said Martinez. “Joel has been playing in this competition and I trust him 100pc and the same way Tim Howard is a very, very influential member of our squad.
“Nothing changes. Of course, we want to be better in terms of keeping clean sheets but it’s very easy and soft to look at the last man standing in the goal.
“Tim has incredible standards and he can't be happy with the goals we conceded at the weekend. But there's not even a doubt in terms of Tim Howard starting at the weekend.”
The win halted a run of four shoot-out defeats at Goodison Park, dating back to 1970 when Borussia Monchengladbach were defeated by a similar 4-3 margin with one of the Everton’s scorers Howard Kendall.
A giant picture of Kendall adorned the outside of the Main Stand, a striking show of respect to the former player and manager whose funeral takes place on Thursday.
And the fact that last of the two titles Kendall won was secured at Norwich in 1987 merely brought into focus how Everton do not make life easy for themselves as they bid to reprise former glories.
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| Norwich players talk to referee Kevin Friend during their League Cup tie |
While Martinez will consider few of those fringe players, Kevin Mirallas was a particular disappointment, stated their case to play more regularly, he will also acknowledge Norwich’s adeptness.Alex Neil’s side boasted more possession and created by far the better opportunities. He departed still be scratching his head as to why they are not in the fifth round. Having failed to eke out an advantage from a sustained spell of early pressure, John Stones’ positioning twice rescued Everton, it took Norwich just six minutes after the restart to seize the initiative. If Martinez had demanded a rising of standards at half-time his words initially fell on deaf ears and Everton’s frailties were belatedly punished. The lively Nathan Redmond worked a short corner with Hoolahan and the cross resulted in confusion as neither Ramiro Funes Mori nor Leon Osman could clear convincingly. It was left to Norwich captain Gary O’Neil to add some calm, cushioning a pass to the edge of the six-yard box where Sebastien Bassong applied a telling finish for his first goal in three years. Everton responded by sending on Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu and restored parity in the 68th minute after finally mustering some meaningful attacking intent. Romelu Lukaku had shot tamely at Declan Rudd’s legs in the first half after being sent through by Tyias Browning and then saw Redmond smuggle an effort off the line. Respite was brief. Funes Mori found Mirallas and his cut back was dispatched, left-footed, by Osman, though this time Norwich’s marking was lamentable. It was only Osman’s second start of the season, but that he wore the armband and contributed to such effect highlighted once more his importance and influence. After the struggles Everton endured against Barnsley and Reading in previous rounds before sealing their passage, Martinez understandably sought to focus on the qualities of character and resilience that has seen his side prevail. However, the flipside is whether they possess enough quality. Even having allowed the ascendancy to slip, Norwich were twice denied as Robles produced excellent saves from Lewis Grabban headers after substitute Matthew Jarvis had picked the striker out with pinpoint precision. It seemed appropriate that he was to finish under a sea of his team-mates after plunging to his left and saving a penalty from Hoolahan, who slipped as he took it. Deulofeu, Barkley, Lukaku and Darron Gibson all dispatched measured kicks and, with Chelsea and Arsenal out, Everton can start dreaming again. “You look at the results elsewhere and it shows how difficult it is to get in the position we are now,” said Martinez. “Our performance deserves a great amount of credit. “We are delighted we are where we are, it's only the second time in the last 28 years. We can't take this lightly. “We will look forward to the draw and see who we are going to face, but there's still a long way to get into a position where we think we can win a trophy.” Everton (4-2-3-1): Robles, Browning (Barkley 62), Stones, Funes Mori, Oviedo; McCarthy, Gibson; Mirallas (Naismith 97), Kone (Deulofeu 62), Osman; Lukaku. Goal: Osman (68) Next Up: Sunderland (h) PL Sun Norwich (4-4-1-1): Rudd; Wisdom (Whittaker 90), Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, Mulumbu (Dorrans 75), O'Neil, Odjidja (Jarvis 68); Hoolahan; Grabban Booked: Mulumbu, Olsson Goal: Bassong (51) Next Up: Manchester City (a) PL Sat Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire) Penalties :(Norwich first) 1-0 (Dorrans), 1-1 (Deulofeu) 2-1 (Whittaker), 2-2 (Barkley) 2-2 (Hoolahan saved), 2-3 (Lukaku), 3-3 (Grabban), 3-4 (Gibson), Redmond (missed)
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