Everton ease into next round despite Weir blow

EVERTON’S David Weir was taken to hospital after a sickening clash of heads which left the defender unconscious on the pitch during their win last night.

The injury took the gloss off Everton’s comfortable victory which sent them into the Carling Cup fourth round.

Weir was taken to hospital for a head scan, having regained consciousness in the dressing room.

Everton won thanks to first-half goals from Tim Cahill, a Keith Keane own goal and second-half strikes from James McFadden and teenager Victor Anichebe.

Everton went ahead on 23 minutes when Mikel Arteta’s free kick was headed back on at the far post by Joleon Lescott for Cahill to dive forward and nod home from a couple of yards.

Everton were two ahead after 34 minutes. Johnson got past Keane on the left with a strong run to the byline before pulling back a low cross which was nudged first by Sol Davis, and then Keane before it deflected past Beresford.

Everton wasted the chance of a third goal when Johnson was pulled down by Keane, and Beresford made a good stop from Arteta’s penalty.

It was 3-0 after 53 minutes when Arteta and Cahill worked well on the left of the box, finding space far too easily, and the ball eventual fell to McFadden to stab home.

With eight minutes left, Everton sub Anichebe surged from halfway, twisting away from two defenders before drilling the ball past Beresford.

EVERTON: Turner, Davies (Anichebe 70), Weir (Hughes 46), Stubbs, Lescott, Osman, Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, Johnson (Beattie 68), McFadden.

LUTON: Beresford, Foley, Keane, Barnett, Davis, Edwards, Robinson, Bell, Morgan (Boyd 80), Vine (Brkovic 80), Feeney.

Referee: S Tanner