Heimir Hallgrimsson was handed a timely boost ahead of naming his first Ireland squad as captain Seamus Coleman returned to action for Everton in tonight's Carabao Cup clash against Doncaster.
The veteran defender has missed the opening two league games of the season after picking up a calf issue during pre-season, however, he was deemed fit to start as the Toffees beat Doncaster 3-0 in the second round encounter.
Coleman played 67 minutes before being subbed for Ashley Young at Goodison Park and may now feature in Hallgrimsson's squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against England and Greece.
The new head coach will announce his first squad on Thursday, and he will also be buoyed to see Jake O'Brien make his competitive debut at his new club as the former Lyon man began in the centre of the Everton defence, while also claiming an assist for Iliman Ndiaye's goal, which put the home side two up in the 74th minute.
Tim Iroegbunam had given Everton the lead in the 53rd minute, while Beto sealed the victory with six minutes remaining.
Evan Ferguson is also a fitness concern for Ireland ahead of the Dublin games on 7 and 10 September at the Aviva Stadium, however, the Brighton striker was back on the bench for tonight's 4-0 victory over Crawley Town.
Ferguson was an unused substitute, however, compatriot and fellow striker Mark O'Mahony came off the bench early in the contest and scored his first goal for the club as he bagged Brighton's fourth in the 86th minute.
Goals from Simon Adingra and Jeremy Sarmiento had put Brighton in charge, and they scored twice more in the space of two minutes late in the game through Adam Webster and O’Mahony before Crawley substitute Jack Roles was shown a straight red card in the last minute.
Promoted Leicester progressed with similar comfort as they beat fourth tier Tranmere 4-0 thanks to goals from Jordan Ayew, Stephy Mavididi, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks, while Jean-Philippe Mateta struck twice and Daichi Kamada and Eberechi Eze also netted in Crystal Palace's victory over Sky Bet Championship Norwich by the same score.
Meanwhile, a Raul Jimenez penalty and Jay Stansfield’s first goal for the club inside the opening 14 minutes earned Fulham a 2-0 win at Birmingham.
The biggest shock of the night came at the SO Legal Stadium, where League Two Barrow beat Championship Derby 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Goalkeeper Paul Farman saved Craig Forsyth’s spot-kick to send the club into the third round for the first time in 56 years.
Jake Beesley and substitute Hayden Coulson struck inside five second-half minutes to cancel out Makhtar Gueye’s early penalty as Richard Keogh's League One Blackpool came from behind to end Championship Blackburn’s unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 win at Ewood Park.
Goals from Emre Tezgel, Ryan Mmaee, Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas and a double from substitute Million Manhoef saw Stoke rout last season’s semi-finalists Middlesbrough 5-0 at the Riverside Stadium, and the Potters were not the only Championship side to hit five.
Milutin Osmajic plundered a hat-trick and Sam Greenwood got a double in Preston’s 5-0 romp at League Two Harrogate, while Sheffield Wednesday trailed to Cameron McJannet’s opener at Grimsby before Ike Ugbo, Jamal Lowe, Callum Paterson twice and Pol Valentin steered them to a 5-1 victory.
City rivals Sheffield United did not fare nearly as well as Barnsley’s Max Watters fired the League One side to a 1-0 win, while Brandon Thomas-Asante was Coventry’s hero as they beat Oxford by the same score.
League One pacesetters Huddersfield endured a night to forget at League Two Walsall when, having led 2-0 despite having Matthew Pearson sent off three minutes before the break, they succumbed 3-2 to Nathan Lowe’s double and a Michal Helik own goal.
Watford had Mileta Rajovic’s double to thank for a 2-0 win over Championship counterparts Plymouth, while QPR held their nerve to beat Luton 4-1 on penalties after Hevertton Santos and Zack Nelson had traded goals in a 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere, Ryan Graydon struck twice to help League Two Fleetwood fight back and dump Rotherham out of the competition, 2-1, Dan Agyei’s well-taken goal saw Leyton Orient upset Millwall 1-0 and Jordi Osei-Tutu and Dion Charles secured a 2-0 win for Bolton at Shrewsbury.
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