Everton bowed out of the Carabao Cup in a penalty shoot-out against Leicester City.

James Maddison had broken the deadlock on 27 minutes with a close-range strike after Ayoze Perez had got the better the Blues’ right-hand side.

The visitors doubled their lead within barely a minute when Jonny Evans evaded Michael Keane’s watch from a corner to prod home a second.

But Tom Davies sparked a spirited second-half fightback in the 70th kminute courtesy of a volleyed finish past Kasper Schmeichel from a Richarlison cross.

In stoppage time, Leighton Baines hit a wonder strike from 25 yards out to take the entertaining quarter-final encounter into a penalty shoot-out.

Jordan Pickford saved Maddison’s first spot kick but Cenk Tosun and Leighton Baines both missed for Everton before Jamie Vardy clinched the Foxes’ 4-2 win.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Same old story in the Cup

 

The name may change but some things remain constant for Everton.

Under its various guises, the League Cup continues to prove a cruel mistress at Goodison Park as a first semi-final place since 2016 was narrowly denied.

That Duncan Ferguson’s side were able to stage a second-half fightback against Leicester City is testament to their new-found levels of character.

Marco Silva would have raised the white flag with the Blues two goals down at the interval. His predecessors, similarly, did not have a stomach for the fight.

Fans have struggled to keep the faith yet there was no mistaking their defiant and full-throated rendition of ‘Forever Everton’ before the penalty shoot-out.

If these prove to be the final days of Ferguson’s brief tenure, as appears likely, he can at least sign off with pride and standards firmly restored.

But the pang of another latter-stage cup exit is still a tough one to take.

Baines shows class is permanent

 

Leighton Baines may not have scored a more emphatic or decisive goal.

Seconds after the fourth official signalled an additional four minutes of time in the 90th minute, the veteran left-back did what he has often done best.

His 25-yard piledriver soared into the top right-hand corner of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal and prompted scenes of sheer delirium inside Goodison.

It was a moment which encapsulated Baines’ ongoing contribution to Everton.

Since being usurped by Lucas Digne, he has been forced to patiently bide his time and wait for an opportunity to reclaim his once rightful first-team place.

In Digne’s absence, he acquitted himself with a typically astute defensive performance which was capped off by such a memorable late strike.

Not even a rare miss in the shoot-out could dampen the 35-year-old’s contribution as he proved that class truly is a permanent state.

Keane needs to toughen up

 

Christmas definitely came early for Jamie Vardy on Merseyside.

Leicester’s striker is often perceived as a bullying type on the pitch and certainly validated that view with his regular tormenting of Michael Keane.

Such was the ease with which Vardy toyed with the Everton defender that it felt almost as if he was seconds away from stealing his dinner money.

Unfortunately it has been a recurring theme with the England international, who appears incapable of holding his own against toughened opponents.

If Carlo Ancelotti was watching his prospective new employers from a distance, fixing Keane’s tactical indiscipline should be an immediate priority.

…but Kean offers signs of promise

 

The writing appeared to be on the wall for Moise Kean since being substituted after coming off the bench in last weekend’s draw with Manchester United.

Few players come back from the brink of such a bruising experience, particularly ones who are still adjusting to their new surroundings.

However Ferguson’s faith in persevering with the Italy international was handsomely repaid in his latest second-half cameo against the Foxes.

Kean’s hold-up play deep in the visitors’ half became crucial while several take-ons had the Goodison faithful roaring in unequivocal approval.

Ancelotti’s expected incoming is certain to see his compatriot handed an extended run of senior appearances which will help boost confidence.

For now, though, Kean has shown that he is capable of making the grade.