Everton overcome determined Plymouth

FT Plymouth 1 Everton 3

Everton overcame the determined challenge of Plymouth to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Goals from Leon Osman and James McFadden looked to have all but put the Premiership club in the hat for Monday’s fourth-round draw by half-time.

But, after Bjarni Gudjonsson pulled a goal back before the interval, the battling hosts threw everything at the visitors.

It needed substitute Nick Chadwick to calm Everton’s nerves with a third goal in the dying minutes.

Cahill eventually replaced the flagging Beattie on 71 minutes, with Bent reverting to his customary lone striking role.

But Everton again looked fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty when McFadden impeded Connolly, who was booked by referee Messias for protesting too strongly.

Evans had a decent chance and Gudjonsson burst into the box, evaded Alan Stubbs’ attempts to head the ball while flat on the ground, and drove a 15-yard shot high over the bar.

Everton sent on Gravesen with 10 minutes left while youngster Nick Chadwick came on in attack, with Bent and McFadden making way. Plymouth replaced Hodges with Marino Keith with six minutes left.

Almost instantly Everton wrapped things up when Coughlan failed to clear and Chadwick found himself in yards of space to run through and slip home the third.