Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored again as Everton stunned Aston Villa at Villa Park to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Calvert-Lewin was jeered off by his own fans in the 4-0 thrashing here in August, but the Englishman coolly converted his side’s second goal after netting at Brentford on Saturday.
It was a particularly surprising result considering Everton’s performance at the ground last month when they were totally outplayed and cut apart by a rampant Villa side.
But victory over the Bees was Everton’s first in the Premier League this season and Sean Dyche’s side showcased their newfound confidence by deservedly sending an out-of-sorts Villa side out of the competition.
Everton punished a poor kick from their former goalkeeper Robin Olsen for the opener as Amadou Onana laid the ball into the box for James Garner to fire home a finish at the near post.
The former Manchester United player was impressive in the middle of the park and could have had another but blazed his effort over from outside the area.
The visitors were on top and may well have been 2-0 up before half-time but Olsen made amends for his earlier error by making a sharp, instinctive save to stop an own goal from skipper John McGinn.
But Everton doubled their lead on 50 minutes as Calvert-Lewin, who netted his first of the season at the weekend, intercepted a pass in midfield before running through and rolling past Olsen.
Everton supporters have had little to cheer about this season but the 4,300 travelling fans were able to enjoy much of the remaining 40 minutes, dancing and chanting in the stands.
Youri Tielemans had struck a dipping drive from the edge of the box on to the crossbar in the first half and Jordan Pickford twice made excellent saves to deny Moussa Diaby.
Substitute Boubacar Kamara’s strike deflected in with seven minutes remaining to make it a nervy finish but the hosts could not find the equaliser and were punished by a flat atmosphere with vast banks of empty seats.
Defeat means Villa’s 10-game winning streak at home was brought to a shuddering halt and ended their five-game winning streak over their opponents.