Everton set up a Carabao Cup encounter against Chelsea with a comfortable victory over Sunderland.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring in a third round tie at Goodison Park that lacked quality during the first half before the striker’s neatly-taken finish.

The youngster would double his tally after the break, firing past Jason Steele in the Black Cats goal after being played in by Sandro Ramirez.

Second half substitute Oumar Niasse made the scoreline a comfortable one for the Blues when he took down Tom Davies’ cross before firing into the top corner.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison:

Blues’ confidence returning slowly

 

Given Everton’s start to the season and recent slew of defeats, it is no surprise that confidence is currently low within Ronald Koeman’s squad.

It is something that the manager is fully aware of, stating before the game that a win was needed to get it flowing once again.

The Dutchman got what he wanted; a strong performance and comfortable win over a struggling Sunderland was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Once Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired his side into the lead, there was a tangible sense of relief among the players and their performance levels lifted as a result.

At times, it was easy to see the confidence flowing back into certain players and it became a flood once goals two and three hit the back of the net.

Koeman will be hoping that this victory provides his team with the conviction they need to take advantage or a run of very winnable upcoming fixtures.

Koeman shows some heart

 

If anyone has benefited from Everton’s failure to sign a striker, it is Oumar Niasse.

Exiled at the start of last season, the Senegal forward would have remained there had Koeman and director of football Steve Walsh landed the man they wanted.

Instead, he finds himself back in the first-team picture and keen to make an impression.

He was handed his chance to do that and took the opportunity with both hands.

A first goal aside, the forward’s passion and energy were evident from the second he entered the pitch.

It would be drastic to suggest he will be a regular starter anytime soon but Niasse certainly gave his manager plenty to think about with his cameo display.

Vlasic will become a fans’ favourite

 

Transfer deadline day proved to be a disappointing one for Everton but the one deal that they did get done is quickly looking like being a smart one.

After solid but uninspiring performances in recent defeats, Nikola Vlasic demonstrated why the Blues were so keen to sign him in this game.

Tidy on the ball with an eye for a pass, he was arguably the hosts’ best attacking threat besides Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with whom he formed a strong bond.

The Croatian’s defensive work was also exemplary and did not go unnoticed by those in attendance at Goodison for the visit of Simon Grayson’s side.

He may not have been what Everton desperately needed, but Vlasic may turn out to be a very smart capture indeed if he continues to build on this strong start.

Calls for Kenny fully vindicated

 

Evertonians have been calling for Jonjoe Kenny’s inclusion since the end of last season but Koeman had continually resisted.

He finally relented, handing the youngster an opportunity to prove himself and give fans reason to believe thir clamour for him to be given a chance was justified.

Solid at the back, despite Sunderland’s attempts to target him from the outset, Kenny also offered enough going forward to be a real threat down the left-hand side.

It was not a shining performance by any means but the 20-year-old will be pleased with his performance and so will his manager.

Those calls for him to become a regular starter are likely to keep rising in number.