Iwobi’s Everton sent packing from Carabao Cup by QPR

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi was on the pitch for the entire match as Everton lost 8-7 on penalties against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) to crash out of the 2021/22 Carabao Cup at the third round stage.

Iwobi was part of a strong Everton starting XI that dominated the opening exchanges in the Carabao Cup tie before going behind to a well-worked team goal by QPR that was finished off by former Southampton striker Charlie Austin after only 19 minutes.

Iwobi had a good chance of equalising for the Toffees within minutes as a through pass sent him through on goal, but he could only fire straight at QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng when faced by the keeper one-on-one.

The equaliser eventually came for Everton through their French left-back Lucas Digne. A brilliant disguised pass from Andros Townsend freed the marauding fullback at the back post, and he finished smartly beyond QPR keeper Dieng to put his side on level terms on the half hour mark.

The parity did not last long before Austin scored his second of the night with a fine header into the far corner after an inch-perfect cross from Ilias Chair in the 34th minute of the match. Austin’s goal put QPR 2-1 up in the Carabao Cup third round match against their Premier League opponents Everton.

Everton battled hard and equalised once more through the industrious Townsend just three minutes into the second half. The winger fired home from close range to draw his side level in the 48th minute.

Both sides had half-chances to win the match, but failed to take the initiative in what was a cagey third round tie as the match went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.

Both sides scored their first six penalties before QPR keeper Dieng saved a poorly-struck penalty from Everton defender Ben Godfrey, but the referee adjudged that the goalkeeper came off his line. The penalty was retaken by Godfrey and sent into the back of the net. The QPR keeper then saved from Everton midfielder Tom Davies before Jimmy Dunne scored the decisive penalty for QPR to send them into the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2008.

Emmanuel Dennis came off the bench for Watford as they were defeated 3-1 by Championship side Stoke City. On-loan midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo could not feature for Watford as their opponent was his parent side, and William Troost-Ekong was not summoned from the bench for the duration of the match.

Frank Onyeka was on the pitch for Brentford for 71 minutes as they thrashed Oldham Athletic 7-0. Marcus Forss scored four goals for the Bees as they qualified for the Round of 16 of this year’s Carabao Cup.