Everton thrashed Preston 4-0 to advance, sending their opponents off the League Cup.
Everton thrashed Preston 4-0 at Deepdale thanks to a hat-trick from Barry and a goal from Johnson, securing their place in the next round of the League Cup, while the home side were officially eliminated.
- 0'The match has started.
Preston will host Everton.
- 13'Everton dominated possession from the start.
After more than 10 minutes of play, Everton completely dominated the game with 35% - 65% possession and relentless pressure on the opponent's goal. The difference was clearly shown by the shot count of 0-6 (0-1 on target), while Preston could only huddle in defense and had yet to manage a single counter-attack.
- 25'T. Barry opened the scoring for Everton.
25th minute,T. Barrysuccessfully capitalized on the pass fromV. Mykolenkoto put Everton ahead 0-1. This goal perfectly reflected the visitors' dominance as they held possession for 71% at Deepdale.
- 25'Everton dominated but haven't scored yet.
After 25 minutes of play, Everton are completely dominating the game with 73% possession and a superior number of shots on goal.1 - 8(hit the target)0 - 2Nevertheless, Preston's defense is still playing with focus to maintain the 0-0 scoreline.
- 37'Everton completely dominated after just over half an hour of play.
After more than half an hour of play, Everton completely dominated the game with overwhelming possession.30% - 70%The visiting team continuously pressed and created a superior number of shots on goal.1 - 12(hit the target)0 - 3), forcing Preston to retreat deep into defense and endure the onslaught.
- 45'End of the first half
At the end of the first half, the score was 0-1.
- 46'The second half has begun.
The second half has begun.
- 49'Everton completely dominated after the break.
At the start of the second half, Everton continued to completely control the game, maintaining superior possession.32% - 68%The visiting team maintained relentless pressure with a significant difference in the number of shots on goal.3 - 18(hit the target)0 - 6), forcing Preston to retreat deep into defense and endure the onslaught.
- 59'T. Barry doubled Everton's lead.
59th minute,T. BarryHe put his name on the scoreboard to widen the gap.0-2For Everton. This goal gives the visitors a huge advantage right on their home ground, Deepdale.
- 60'Preston brought C. Lang onto the field in an attempt to create a breakthrough.
Immediately after conceding the second goal,PrestonThe decision to refresh the attack came in the 60th minute when they substituted...J. Erabitake a break to make room forC. Lang, hoping to improve their attacking performance while trailing 0-2.
- 60'Preston made personnel changes after conceding the second goal.
In the 60th minute, Preston made a substitution whenA. McCannwas brought onto the field as a substitute forT. SmallTrailing 0-2 and under pressure from Everton, the Deepdale side hoped this adjustment would improve their game.
- 60'Preston made substitutions after the second goal.
In the 60th minute, Preston decided to take a shot.A. Devilcame onto the field as a substitute forL. LeroyAllowing their opponents to double their lead to 0-2 forced the Deepdale home team to quickly refresh their lineup in order to find a way to improve their playing style.
- 60'Preston reinforced their squad after conceding a goal.
In the 60th minute, immediately after conceding the second goal, Preston decided to make a substitution on the field whenH. Clarketo replaceD. BurgzorgIn order to refresh the attacking strategy.
- 61'Everton completely dominated after an hour of play.
By the 61st minute, Everton completely dominated the game with a 33% - 67% possession rate and an overwhelming attacking performance. The visitors created a huge difference in the number of shots, 3 - 24 (0 - 8 on target), forcing Preston to retreat deep into defense and constantly face intense pressure.
- 64'Everton made personnel changes after taking a two-goal lead.
In the 64th minute, Everton made a substitution whenN. Pattersonwas brought on as a substitute.T. DiblingWith a 0-2 lead and a dominant performance, the visiting team began to adjust their lineup in an attempt to maintain their advantage.
- 64'Everton make a substitution, B. Johnson comes on.
In the 64th minute, Everton made a substitution whenB. Johnsonwas brought on as a substitute.J. GarnerWith a 0-2 lead and complete control of the game, the visiting team began making adjustments to maintain their solid style of play.
- 70'T. Barry increased Everton's lead to 0-3.
70th minute,T. Barryscoring to widen the gap.0-3For Everton. The third goal clearly reflected the dominant performance that the visitors created at Deepdale.
- 72'B. Johnson increased Everton's lead to 0-4.
72nd minute,B. JohnsonHe scored to help Everton extend their lead.0-4The visiting team is completely dominating the game at Deepdale Stadium with two consecutive goals in just a few minutes.
- 75'Everton completely dominated the game.
By the 75th minute, Everton were still completely dominating the game with 33% possession and a 0-4 lead. The suffocating pressure from the visitors was evident in their superior shooting record (4-27, with 1-10 on target), leaving Preston almost entirely on the defensive.
- 81'Everton substituted K. Dewsbury-Hall.
In the 81st minute, Everton made a substitution whenC. Alcarazwas brought on as a substitute.K. Dewsbury-HallWith a comfortable 0-4 lead, the visiting team's coaching staff could leisurely rotate their lineup for the remainder of the match.
- 81'Everton substituted Ndiaye, giving George a chance.
In the 81st minute, Everton made a personnel change whenT. Georgewas brought on as a substitute.I. NdiayeWith a dominant 0-4 lead on the scoreboard, the away team were completely at ease rotating their squad for the remainder of the match.
- 82'Everton substituted Barry, bringing Aznou on as a substitute.
In the 82nd minute, Everton made a substitution whenA. Aznouwas brought onto the field to replaceT. BarryWith a 0-4 lead and a completely dominant performance at Deepdale, the visiting team's coaching staff felt comfortable making substitutions in the final minutes of the match.
- 85'Preston made last-minute personnel changes.
In the 85th minute, the home team Preston made a substitution.G. GrybaHe was brought onto the field to replace the previous player.A. McCannWith the score already 0-4 in favor of Everton, this player's appearance was primarily to gain experience during the remaining short time of the match.
- 87'Everton completely dominated towards the end of the match.
In the 87th minute, Everton continued their overwhelming dominance with 34% - 66% possession and a 0-4 lead. The suffocating pressure from the visitors was evident in their superior shooting statistics: 5 - 28 (1 - 10 on target), leaving Preston mostly on the defensive for the remainder of the match.
- KTFinal score: Preston 0-4 Everton
The match ended with a score of 0-4.
Updated at 03:49 on August 27, 2026
The match between Preston and Everton, taking place at 2:00 AM on August 27th at Deepdale Stadium, is a do-or-die game. Unlike round-robin tournaments, the knockout format leaves no room for error: the winning team advances, while the losing team is officially eliminated.
The pressure of the knockout format at Deepdale
Entering a knockout match, every tactical calculation must be aimed at maximum precision at every moment. The single-leg format leaves virtually no opportunity to correct mistakes. Both Preston and Everton understand that there is only one path forward: to secure a victory and continue their journey.
The home advantage at Deepdale provides Preston with a certain psychological boost. However, the tense nature of a knockout match always creates immense pressure on both the home and away players.
Comparison of recent form and head-to-head record
In terms of form, Preston are maintaining a positive mindset after securing a victory in their last match. This favorable result gives the Deepdale team added confidence heading into this crucial game.
Conversely, Everton holds a significant psychological advantage when looking at their recent head-to-head record. In the last two encounters between the two sides, the Merseyside club won both matches, preventing Preston from achieving either a draw or a win. This perfect record in those two matches provides a crucial foundation for Everton's confidence heading into this away game.
The scenario involves competing for a spot in the next round.
Given the do-or-die nature of the match, caution will undoubtedly be paramount in the opening stages. Everton possesses experience and a head-to-head advantage from their last two encounters, but Preston is also in high spirits after their recent victory and will be cheered on by their home crowd.
The match will likely be decided by the concentration of players in crucial moments. Whichever team capitalizes better on opportunities and minimizes defensive weaknesses will secure the ticket to the next round.
*This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).
Thanh Vinh