A knockout competition defines Carlo Ancelotti’s career and it isn’t the FA Cup. Embarrassing defeats can define a reign, however, and the triple Champions League winner flirted with humiliation as Rotherham excelled at Goodison Park.
Ancelotti’s Everton needed extra time; it amounted to an unconvincing way to progress. He now has 666 wins in his career and a first in the FA Cup as Everton manager may be among the most undistinguished of them all. As his assistant Duncan Ferguson said: “There was a wee bit of relief."
Progress came courtesy of two of his summer signings and Ancelotti’s capacity to change a game from the bench. Abdoulaye Doucoure, sent on to liven Everton up, sent them through with an assured finish from James Rodriguez’s defence-splitting pass.
“Any manager who is under the cosh would put those sort of subs on,” rued Rotherham manager Paul Warne after another replacement, Bernard, hit the post in extra time. But on a day when Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were rested, Everton’s reliance on their premier players was illustrated by the mediocrity of most of the supporting cast.
Cenk Tosun stood in for Calvert-Lewin, scored one goal and had another disallowed, but otherwise, this was not an advertisement for much of Everton’s recruitment before Ancelotti’s appointment and the Turkey international may yet be a January departure. “It will be down to the club and himself,” added Ferguson. “Cenk has got a big part to play at the club.”
But one of Everton’s best buys, Lucas Digne, made a faster-than-expected recovery from ankle surgery, only for his comeback to be marred by Rotherham’s rampaging wing-back Matthew Olosunde, who scored, starred and accounted in part for Digne’s substitution.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey and playing now at the New York Stadium, the American almost set up a seismic shock.
Rotherham have not won away at top-flight opponents in the FA Cup since 1953, they have lost their last eight away games and they may beat a swift return to League One, but none of that was apparent in a terrific performance. “I am really pleased with my lads, they make my soul shine on a daily basis,” said Warne. They played so well he ended up deeming it: “A wasted opportunity.”
Despite a fine start, Everton’s was largely a dismal display, devoid of drive, wit or invention. Andre Gomes was too lightweight in midfield and Alex Iwobi utterly ineffectual on the right. It was a sign of how little threat they posed that they did not win a corner until the 73rd minute. Ancelotti had his head in his hands in frustration at one point. No wonder.
Rotherham lost 7-0 to Manchester City at this stage last season. They may have feared a repeat when Everton began well. Tosun made his first Everton start since November 2019, and got his first goal for the club since that same month. It was stylishly taken, a delicate dink over goalkeeper Jamal Blackman after Rotherham’s defence was opened up by Anthony Gordon’s pass.
Everton’s belated second goal had some similarities with the first. This time Rodriguez provided the penetrative pass. Abdoulaye Doucoure ran on to it to give the calm finish. But it was also notable because, in the intervening 84 minutes, all Everton had mustered was a well-taken Tosun goal, which VAR disallowed.
“The only disappointing part was the first five or 10 minutes, we showed them too much respect which I warned them about,” rued Warne.
After that, Michael Smith had shot over, Robin Olsen made a brilliant double save from Olosunde and Dan Barlaser, and Matt Crooks glanced a header over. Olosunde fully deserved his equaliser for his relentless attacking.
Smith’s pass bounced fortunately into his path, but the American reacted well, twisting in to shoot in off the far post. Suitably buoyed, he almost set up a second goal, finding Wes Harding, who shot over. Everton were reprieved. “Getting through,” Ferguson added. “That’s the main thing.”
