Carlos Alcaraz lit up the first floodlit fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium with a sublime second-half strike as Everton eased past League One Mansfield 2-0 to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup. Substitute Beto added a late tap-in to settle a tie that had threatened to become awkward for David Moyes's side.
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes to allow all supporters safe access into the stadium, and once the action began it was the Premier League hosts who shaded a goalless first half without finding a way through Nigel Clough's well-drilled visitors. The breakthrough finally came six minutes into the second period and a second arrived in the closing stages, ensuring Everton booked a third-round trip to Wolves.
Teething troubles on a historic night
The combined appeal of a new ground and a sensible ticket pricing policy ensured the first cup tie at Hill Dickinson Stadium was a sell-out. Mansfield, benefiting from reduced prices of £15 for adults, £10 for over 65s and £5 for under-18s, brought more than 6,000 fans to the banks of the River Mersey, contributing to Everton's biggest home attendance for a League Cup tie since 1987.