Everton 0-2 Norwich - Naismith returns to dump Toffees out of EFL Cup

Steven Naismith and Josh Murphy scored in each half as Championship side Norwich dumped Everton out of the EFL Cup.

The result brings Ronald Koeman’s Everton honeymoon to a shuddering halt and places greater importance on the weekend trip to Bournemouth.

Everton made six changes to the side that beat Middlesbrough with Enner Valencia making his first start since his deadline day move from West Ham.

There were also starts for Ramiro Funes Mori, Mason Holgate, Tom Cleverley, Aaron Lennon and Gerard Deulofeu.

Everton had the first chance of the game when Seamus Coleman’s low cross found Lennon but his low shot was blocked by Steven Whittaker. Replays showed the ball struck the Norwich defender’s arm but the referee was perhaps correct to turn down the penalty appeals.

Deulofeu then had a great chance after being played in by Cleverley but his shot was well saved by Norwich ‘keeper John Ruddy.

Barkley saw a 25-yard free kick comfortably saved by Ruddy as Everton continued to dominate without putting Norwich under any sustained pressure.

It was shock therefore when Norwich scored with their first shot on target shortly before half-time.

There seemed to be little on when Naismith collected the ball on the left just inside the area, even less so when the Scot slipped over as he was about to shoot. However, all that did was send the ball looping perfectly over a wrongfooted Maarten Stekelenberg and into the net.

Ronald Koeman declined to make any changes at half-time but his words at the break did have an affect as the Toffees regained the initiative.

Ruddy was forced to come out of his area and head clear an Everton throughball with Barkley volleying the rebound well over.

Deulofeu then fired a free-kick just wide before shooting well over when teed up by Lennon.

Funes Mori hit an effort in the sidenetting before Barkley hesitated inside the box and was dispossessed before he could get a shot away.

Koeman responded to his side’s continued frustration by bringing on Yannick Bolasie and Kevin Mirallas for Lennon and Deulofeu.

It almost proved inspired, with Mirallas curling in a free-kick with his first touch that was well saved by Ruddy. From the resulting corner Valencia’s shot was cleared off the line by Alex Pritchard.

Minutes later it was game over. Josh Murphy went on a mazy run from the right before cutting inside and curling home a fizzing effort that went in off the crossbar beyond an unmoved Stekelenberg.

It was only Norwich’s second shot on target and meant Everton paid dearly for the profligacy at the other end.

Everton continued to knock on the door at the other end without really causing serious problems, Valencia and Ashley Williams both forcing Ruddy into routine saves.

Idrissa Gueye had a long-range effort well saved by the Norwich ‘keeper but in truth Everton could have played all night and they wouldn’t have scored.