First Half

I consequently missed the kick-off despite being at the ground at quarter to eight.   I'd barely settled in my seat when Bilic played the ball on the ground to Oster with his back to goal.  Oster flicked it behind himself with the outside of his boot, playing the ball into space for Graham Stuart to run on to and strike low, hard and fast into the net.  Easy peesy!  A good deal of my simmering anger about the late entry quickly cooled.

It seemed Stuart was partnering Cadamarteri up front; Oster, Speed, Grant and Ball were in midfield. Thomas, Bilic, Watson and Hinchcliffe were at the back.  It took me a full ten minutes before I clicked that Nev was in goal -- my slowness is probably down to a decade of just expecting him to be in goal but also the fact that Scunthorpe were threatening nothing.

The pattern of the game was just how these games should be: the Premiership team dominating play without ever looking bothered about it.  We had so convincingly won the game in midfield that their attacks were confined to one or two long-ball mad chases or relying on our defence (or 'keeper) to needlessly show them too much of the ball.

The arrogance of our youngsters was probably the highlight of the evening. They all seemed to be treating it as a training game, and were showing off some great touches.  The ball fell loose to Oster in the box.  He looked set to drive it, paused, looked up, and then -- with utter contempt for the Scunthorpe keeper -- he delicately lobbed it landing the ball at an agonisingly slow speed in the only place such a slow shot could have gone in.  Sheer precision!

The rest of the half was workman-like.  Their only real chance of the game came when they missed a 6-yard header in front of the Street End.  For Everton, the only other significant incident was the removal of Tony Grant with yet another injury.  Barmby was introduced up front, and so Graham Stuart then got to try his versatile hand at centre-midfield.

Second Half

The Second half started at an even slower pace.  In fact, for a long while it was very dull stuff.  This gave the Scunthorpe crowd (a reasonable turnout) the chance to decide to make the best of the night and give us a few songs ("Down with the Barnsley, your going down with the Barnsley").  The sparse Evertonian turnout gave little vocal reply but the general increase in atmosphere did seem to lift our players and suddenly we hit a bright spell.

I can't remember which way round the Barmby goals came.  In one, Oster played the ball to Cadamarteri who played through Barmby to professionally finish.  In the other Oster dribbled the ball all the way to the goal-line and with an open net in front of him chose to play the ball to Barmby to double his tally rather than take the deserved glory himself.

Finally, Oster put Cadamarteri clean through and he finished in the same manner that Graham Stuart had started things with. "By far the greatest team the world has Ever seen" the Street End suddenly decided. "Barmby for England" another, presumably slightly tongue-in-cheek chant.

We could have had more, Speed had a header from a corner brilliantly denied at point blank range.  Terry Phelan, who had come on in midfield when Ball had moved back to centre-back in place of the Substituted Watson, also had a decent dig.  Even Slaven managed to get in a forward shooting position.

A competent Everton performance where for once Everton fans got what they demanded from the team.

Individual Performances

• Southall 6 - Looked shaky.  Made three or four unforced errors with clearances and kicks.
• Thomas 6 - Nothing to impress.  Ran himself into trouble twice by holding the ball too long; he was never really tested with anyone coming at him.
• Bilic & Watson 6 - Both looked uncharacteristically shaky and gave the ball away needlessly.  Their game seemed to lower to the level of the opposition.
• Hinchcliffe 6 - Competent enough though only ever in first gear.  Didn't shine, but did nowt wrong.
• Oster 9 - Outstanding! At the centre of every goal.  Delightful goal himself.  Man of the match.
• Speed 7 - Unlucky not to score.  Lots of good work.  Looking more like a captain now, talking to his team-mates particularly the youngsters, having judicious words with the ref when needed etc.
• Grant 7 - Was doing OK till he went off.
• Ball 7 - Looked completely comfortable again on the left flank, made a couple of scoring opportunities, fantastic work-rate.  I wasn't as convinced with him as centre-back but then there wasn't much for him to do there.  Looks like another supremely versatile player, has played three different roles this week.  Let's hope that he doesn't suffer from ending up a 'jack of all trades, master of none' syndrome and so have the fans on his back.  For the moment, the crowd love him.
• Stuart 7 - Looked a very good partner for Danny (as he had on Saturday).  It is difficult to imagine Duncan ever sprinting into space and then running onto the ball at speed in the manner that Stuart and Danny did for each other.  Clinical goal.  Uninspiring though comfortable when he went back to centre-mid.
• Cadamarteri 7 - Yet again fulfilled his role very well.  His pace, strength, enthusiasm and confidence on the ball where again on show.  Good goal was a fair reward.  Should have had a penalty in the first half.
• Barmby 7 - I was worried when he started cos nothing seemed to go his way and we looked to lose a bit of bite.  Oster saw him right, though, and his confidence was flowing by the end of the game.
• Phelan 7 - A cameo appearance by the Bulldog. Got stuck in straight away.

The first 10 minutes of the game passed me by.  Somehow I felt as though I was watching a bit of a training session, with nobody really taking things very seriously in the Everton side.  A couple of times Southall nearly gave the ball away inside his six yard box to an on-rushing forward (playing in yellow and black quarters - wow!) and with one deft chip nearly wiped out our 1 - 0 first leg lead.

But then we were 1 - 0 up with Stuart lashing a right-foot drive into the goal from an Oster flick.  Scunthorpe hadn't deserved that, but hey! this is football, what's fair about it?  We played some pretty enough stuff at times but nobody's heart seemed in it.  Even the youngsters didn't have the same purpose about them.  True , Ball had gone close with a header from a right-wing cross and Stuart nearly extended the lead, but the passion and the drive was missing.  We were coasting in second gear and we were still too good for Scunthorpe.

There were gaffes a-plenty at the back, which might have gone punished by a better team, but we seemed not to care about that.  The confidence levels were high and we just upped the pace on the odd occasion.  The second goal was something from nothing.  The ball reached Oster, right corner of the box.  Plenty of time, look up, float the ball over and beyond the keeper: 2 - 0, thank you very much.  Game over.  All too easy.

Main talking point of the half was the loss of Grant.  An innocuous stretch to reach a ball that was always passing him by and he seemed to turn an ankle.  Fortunately we were comfortable enough to be able to replace him almost immediately with Barmby.  But the tales of Grant and Injury being partners for life had the ring of truth about them.

Half time came. I felt as though I'd been cheated somehow.  I can't find the words to properly describe the empty feeling I had inside.  Two - nil up [against Arsenal] on Saturday last, I'd have been crowing with delight, high on adrenaline... tonight it was different.  It was no more than we should have achieved and yet I didn't have that buzz.

Second Half

The second half started with Scunthorpe trying to pretend they were still in the game.  They had a few chances to pull one back but showed in their lack of vision and limited invention why they were the lower division side. We actually looked like the Premiership side tonight and there have been precious few times in recent years when that can have been said about us when faced with seemingly poorer class opposition.

The sad fact was that we seemed to be happy to settle for 2 - 0.  Until a four minute spell around the hour mark when first Oster and then Cadamarteri were providers for excellent finishes from Barmby and then Cadamarteri rounded off the scoring with a fine strike.  Earlier attempts by Speed (a powerful header cleared superbly by the keeper) and Cadamarteri (a sweeping move which ended with a shot against an upright) had gone begging. Even then we could have had more.

Watson was replaced by Phelan and almost immediately he carried the ball deep into the Scunthorpe box and sent a shot straight at the keeper.  The simple ball across goal to the on-coming Barmby and the waiting Cadamarteri would surely have been the better choice.  But maybe I'm just being churlish to criticise.

Speed had another drive valiantly cleared by the keeper, Barmby shot across the face of the goal to see the keeper hold onto the ball as Ball was rushing in for the rebound, and Scunthorpe tried desperately to breech the dam at the other end.

We won, and we won comfortably, probably operating at around 40 % of potential.  Gone was the uncertainty; confidence was high.  Ball was my man of the match with an excellent display both in midfield and at the back (where he played in place of Watson). I have to say though that Southall's slip-shod attitude to the game in the first twenty minutes or so, did him no favours, if he hopes to retain his place in the game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The final whistle came to loud applause and a well deserved ovation for both sides -- Everton for doing what needed to be done and Scunthorpe for trying so hard.

And yet, I felt cheated. Maybe I wanted this 5 - 0 in the next home game [against Liverpool]- and I can't make that one...

Teenage winger John Oster destroyed Scunthorpe with a magical display in this second-leg tie at Goodison Park.  Brian Laws' men had given Everton a torrid time at Glanford Park and had high hopes of overturning the 1-0 deficit.  But the tiny Welsh Under-21 international quickly ruined the Irons' night by producing a clever flick to set up the first goal after 11 minutes.  He switched the play superbly to allow Graham Stuart to stroll confidently onto the ball and slide it into the corner of the net.

Oster created the second goal out of nothing on 23 minutes after collecting an over-hit corner on the right-hand angle of the visitors' box.  He steadied himself before delivering a chip of Ryder Cup class into the opposite corner of the net.

Both goalkeepers on show had been discarded by Everton manager Howard Kendall in the past.  Paul Gerrard's four-match run between the posts for Everton ended as he was replaced by Neville Southall.  And at the other end Laws handed Tom Evans his senior debut against the manager who threw him out during his spell at Sheffield United.  Evans, as expected, was the busier man.  He dived smartly to save Andy Hinchcliffe's fourth-minute free-kick and later flung himself across goal to keep out Stuart's firm header.

The great early start by Everton appeared to lull their back line into a dream-like state.  They allowed terrier-like striker Jamie Forrester acres of space to reach Sean McAuley's cross but he headed wastefully wide.

Everton suffered a big blow after 34 minutes when injury-prone midfielder Tony Grant hobbled off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Nick Barmby. Laws brought himself and Lee Marshall into the action at the interval and their presence gave the visitors the upper hand.  But the Irons' plethora of crosses were easily headed clear by Slaven Bilic and Dave Watson.

Everton went three ahead on the night in the 65th minute when Barmby played a one-two with teenager Danny Cadamarteri on the edge of the area and chipped the ball over the keeper.  A minute later Oster picked up the ball 10 yards into the Scunthorpe half and advanced around 25 yards before threading the ball through to Barmby who slid it home.

Incredibly two minutes later it was five and again Oster was the architect. His through pass found Cadamarteri making an angled run and he slid the ball past the keeper.  Cadamarteri's strike continued his remarkable Goodison scoring record of three in three games since making his debut against Barnsley.

Everton soon regained control and had enough in hand to allow Oster and bizarre five-min ute sabbatical on the touchline as he changed his boots.

A breathtaking goal from wonder kid John Oster was the highlight of Everton's cruise into the third round of the Coca-Cola Cup.  The little Welshman, ironically born in Boston and brought up on the Lincolnshire coast at Skegness, produced a sensational chip from the corner of the penalty area that deserved a bigger audience than the 11,562 at Goodison Park.

Oster, surely soon to be elevated from the Welsh Under-21's to the full squad, created three other goals as Scunthorpe - already one down from the first leg - fell apart in the second half.  Oster and Cadamarteri were the stars of the show again, their free running and movement cutting Scunthorpe to shreds. Everton smashed three in a devastating three minute spell, with substitute Nick Barmby grabbing two of them.

Scunthorpe had 20-year-old keeper Tom Evans making his senior debut and he produced a string of outstanding stops to save his side from even greater embarrassment.  He made brilliant saves from Andy Hinchcliffe's 25-yard free kick, a Graham Stuart header and a breathtaking point blank stop from a flying Gary Speed header.  But he could not stem the flow for ever. He was beaten after ten minutes when Oster's delicate flick from Slaven Bilic's long ball, put Stuart clear to drill home a drive.

Then Oster's masterpiece arrived after 22 minutes, to put Everton in control.  The second-half goal bonanza started in the 65th minute when Danny Cadamarteri set up Barmby for a chipped third, and 60 seconds later Oster's run and square ball allowed Barmby another easy one.  After 69 minutes Cadamarteri was put clear by Oster to stride on and crack it across Evans into the bottom corner.

Nick Barmby was available again after his back injury and duly put in a top dollar performance and Andy Hinchcliffe was also free of suspension.

Tony Thomas replaced the beleaguered Earl Barrett at right wing-back, while Tony Grant was o.k despite being doubtful before the game with an ear infection.

It was a thoroughly professional performance from the Blues right from the word go.

Just 11 minutes in the good early work brought its just rewards. Bilic fed John Oster and his perfectly weighted pass found Stuart who finished clinically for the opener.

Hinchcliffe's corner midway through the first half was controlled well by the inspirational John Oster who then chipped the entire Scunthorpe defence and Scunny keeper Tom Evans for the Blues' second.

Three goals in as many minutes midway through the second half sealed the affair and a very satisfactory nights work for Howard Kendall and his men.

It was various permutations of Danny cadamarteri, John Oster and Nick Barmby that did all the damage.

The first came on 66 minutes as Cadamarteri found Barmby who again chipped Evans. Barmby turned provider for Oster seconds later and Oster duly decided to complete the circle by setting up Cadamarteri who added goal number five and the rout was complete.

That meant the Blues turned what looked like a rather dodgy situation into a comfortable win and has earnt them a date with Coventry at Highfield Road in the next round.

COVENTRY CITY           3-1    BLACKPOOL                  9,565  (Agg: 3-2)
McAllister(pens:61,89)         Lydiate(36)
Dublin(70)
DERBY COUNTY            5-0    SOUTHEND UNITED           18,490  (Agg: 6-0)
Rowett(43,57) Wanchope(60)
Sturridge(64) Trollope(83)
EVERTON                 5-0    SCUNTHORPE UNITED         11,562  (Agg: 6-0)
Stuart(11) Oster(23,67) 
Barmby(66) Cadamarteri(69)
MILLWALL                1-4    WIMBLEDON                  3,591  (Agg: 2-9)
Shaw(pen 90)                   Euell(22,43) Castledine(47) Gayle(50)
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY     3-2    GRIMSBY TOWN              11,120  (Agg: 3-4) 
Davison(og 16) Di Canio(64,88) Nogan(46) Groves(48)

BARNSLEY                4-1    CHESTERFIELD               8,417  (Agg: 6-2)
Liddell(37) Redfearn(44)       Lormor(pen:59)
Sheridan(55) Hristov(84)
BOLTON WANDERERS        4-4    LEYTON ORIENT              6,444  (Agg: 7-5)
Blake(8,35) McGinlay(pen:65)   Inglethorpe(7) Griffiths(17)
Gunnlaugsson(66)               Baker(55) Warren(90)  
BRENTFORD               0-1    SOUTHAMPTON                3,957  (Agg: 1-5)
                               Le Tissier(31,44)
BRISTOL CITY            2-1    LEEDS UNITED              10,857  (Agg: 3-4)
Goodridge(41) Taylor(61)       Hasselbaink(8)  
CARLISLE UNITED         0-2    TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR         13,571  (Agg: 2-5)
                               Ginola(pen:43) Armstrong(51)
CRYSTAL PALACE          2-1    HULL CITY                  6,407  (Agg: 2-2)
Veart(56) Ndah(77)     (aet)   Wright(30)     (Hull City win on away goals)
PRESTON NORTH END       1-0    BLACKBURN ROVERS          11,472  (Agg: 1-6)
Barrick(15)

WEST HAM UNITED         3-0    HUDDERSFIELD TOWN         16,137  (Agg: 3-1)
Hartson(31,45,77)

STOKE CITY              2-0    BURNLEY                    6,041  (Agg: 6-0)
Keen(36) Thorne(71)
WALSALL                 2-2    NOTTINGHAM FOREST          6,037  (Agg: 3-2)
Watson(113,117)        (aet)   Van Hooijonk(48) Armstrong(91)
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-0    FULHAM                    17,862  (Agg: 2-0)
Goodman(89)

BARNET                  0-2    MIDDLESBROUGH              3,968  (Agg: 0-3)
                               Beck(45) Merson(pen:67)
BURY                    1-2    SUNDERLAND                 3,928  (Agg: 2-4)
Johnson(65)                    Smith(12) Rae(33)
PETERBOROUGH UNITED     0-2    READING                    6,067  (Agg: 0-2)
                               Asaba(51) Williams(70)
SHEFFIELD UNITED        4-0    WATFORD                    7,511  (Agg: 5-1)
Day(og 18) Whitehouse(49,80) Deane(56)
STOCKPORT COUNTY        2-1    BIRMINGHAM CITY            2,074  (Agg: 3-5)
Armstrong(37) Mutch(87)        Furlong(pen:70)
TORQUAY UNITED          0-3    IPSWICH TOWN               3,598  (Agg: 1-4)
                               Holland(22,61) Dyer(90)
TRANMERE ROVERS         0-1    NOTTS COUNTY               3,287  (Agg: 2-1)
                               Dudley(43)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION    4-2    LUTON TOWN                 7,227  (Agg: 5-3)
Raven(40) McDermott(52)        Davis(37) Thorpe(74)
Peschisolido(67,88)
YORK CITY               1-2    OXFORD UNITED              1,555  (Agg: 2-6)
Murty(62)                      Aldridge(89) Banger(90)