League Cup round-up: Chelsea given a scare by Bristol Rovers

Chelsea 3 Bristol Rovers 2

Chelsea survived a tense second-half to secure passage into the third round of the EFL Cup with a 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

A strong Blues line-up numbering five first-team regulars including Pedro and Nemanja Matic laboured against their League One opponents despite twice claiming two-goal leads as Michy Batshuayi scored either side of Victor Moses’ goal.

Peter Hartley and Ellis Harrison, who fired the only goal of the second-half, gave Rovers hope of a famous upset against the Premier League giants and on more than one occasion they threatened an equaliser.

But Eden Hazard and Oscar came on to reinforce Chelsea and the visitors eventually ran out of steam having given everything in pursuit of a prized scalp.

Everton 4 Yeovil Town 0

Aaron Lennon’s first goal since March, captain for the night Ross Barkley’s second of the season and two late rare strikes from Arouna Kone gave Everton a comfortable 4-0 EFL Cup win at home to Yeovil.

It was expected to be fairly straightforward against a side 79 places further down the leagues, but manager Ronald Koeman signalled his intent to do the job properly by handing full debuts to new signings Ashley Williams, who enjoyed the most comfortable of introductions to Goodison Park, and Yannick Bolasie.

However, striker Romelu Lukaku’s first start of the campaign showed he still has some way to go to reach the sharpness which brought him 25 goals last term.

And he was outdone by substitute Kone, who scored his first goals since January, taking his tally to just 11 in 56 matches over three years.

Crystal Palace 2 Blackpool 0

Crystal Palace earned their first victory of the season and gave Christian Benteke his debut in a 2-0 defeat of Blackpool at Selhurst Park in the second round of the EFL Cup.

A much-changed team responded to 1-0 defeats at home to West Brom and away to Tottenham that had left them 19th in the Premier League by easing into the competition’s third round.

The attacking potential that has been missing for much of 2016 showed signs of returning. Alan Pardew, however, will know League Two Blackpool provided limited opposition in losing to an own goal and a further effort from Connor Wickham.

Stevenage Town 0 Stoke City 4

Peter Crouch scored a hat-trick as Stoke advanced to the third round of the EFL Cup by sweeping aside League Two Stevenage 4-0 at the Lamex Stadium.

The former England striker notched either side of Phil Bardsley’s brilliant 30-yard strike, before adding his third with 20 minutes left to seal a comprehensive victory for the Premier League outfit.

League Cup second round results:

Blackburn Rovers 4 Crewe Alexandra 3 AET

Burton Albion 0 Liverpool 5

Chelsea 3 Bristol Rovers 2

Everton 4 Yeovil Town 0

Exeter City 1 Hull City 3

Luton Town 0 Leeds United 1

Millwall 1 Nottingham Forest 2

Newcastle United 2 Cheltenham Town0

Norwich City 6 Coventry City1

Oxford United 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 4

Peterborough United 1 Swansea City 3

Preston North End 2 Oldham Athletic 0

Queens Park Rangers 2 Rochdale 1

Scunthorpe United 1 Bristol City 2 AET

Stevenage 0 Stoke City 4 W

Watford 1 Gillingham 2 AET

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cambridge United 1

Crystal Palace 2 Blackpool 0

Northampton Town 2 v West Bromwich Albion 2 (Northampton win on pens)

Derby County 1 Carlisle 1 (Derby win on pens)