Carlisle United Football Club

A first touch on his debut for Brandon Comley signalled the United intent to compete as he robbed possession in the middle of the park accompanied by a chorus of cheers from the packed stands.

But it was Everton who delivered the first blow with just 90 seconds on the clock when a high ball over the top released Aaron Lennon on the right flank. He carried it into the box and a low cross left Arouna Kone with the simple task of tapping it in from close range.

Carlisle didn’t allow the setback to knock them out of their stride and Asamoah went close when he twisted and turned on the edge of the area. A gap opened up but a weak shot spun off the top of his boot.

More good work from Sweeney sent Asamoah wide on the angle of the box and the ball sat up nicely for the volley as blue shirts raced into the box. The striker went for glory and Robles did well to parry a stinging drive away to safety.

The Toffees passed the ball well and Oviedo had Gillespie diving as he tried to finish off a good passing move with an effort from distance. The same player was disappointed to send a cross deep when he had plenty to choose from in terms of supporting acts.

A difficult task became a mountain to climb when Pienaar slid Kone into a crossing position. Lennon called for it and his first touch was followed by a crunching shot which came off Gillespie and ricocheted into the roof of the net.

The game settled into a steady pace but a burst of fire from Asamoah caught Oviedo by surprise as he dallied on the ball. A sliding challenge earned United a corner but good defensive work allowed Coleman to hook it clear.

The home side stayed forward and Gillesphey won another corner which Dicker bent deep. Ellis rose to meet it but his header pinged into the side netting as he beat Oviedo to the ball. The visitors broke as Barkley used power and pace to turn defence into attack but Raynes was there to make a block as things threatened to open up again.

Patience became the key word as Everton looked happy with their lot but they picked their way through again just before the break as Lennon, Oviedo, Barkley and Pienaar exchanged passes. Movement from Kone gave him time to deal with the cross but his cushioned volley was easy for Gillespie.

Headers into the box from Ellis and Miller suggested that Carlisle weren’t out of the game but they couldn’t quite find a way through as white shirts dropped deeper to protect their keeper.

Manager Keith Curle went for a double substitution after the break as Gilliead and Hope came on for Gillesphey and Dicker, and Hope did his job almost immediately with a lovely ball over the top for Asamoah to chase. He was left with his head in his hands as his top corner bound shot took a touch and dipped over the bar.

A superb block from Raynes stopped Coleman as he hit the afterburners to burst through, and the same happened to Barkley when he beat two only to be stopped as he went for the bottom corner.

Some real Premier League class sealed the deal for Everton as former-United loanee Leon Osman came off the bench to link up with McCarthy inside the Carlisle half. Ross Barkley took over and he dropped a shoulder before he sent a bullet of a shot, albeit via a deflection, into the top corner.

Cleverley popped one wide and Kone sent a cross-shot onto the bar as Everton got forward with purpose, in the closing stages, but Sweeney went close as a long throw from Ellis dropped into his path. His shot was on target until Funes Mori stepped in.

A dream end to the tie was thwarted by Robles when Alex Gilliead went on a winding run. His cross picked out Ibehre but the keeper threw a leg out to preserve the clean sheet.