Antonio Rudiger's header and Willian's sharp finish after a one-two with Cesc Fabregas saw Chelsea into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Blues also inflicted defeat on David Unsworth in his first game as caretaker manager.

Charly Musonda received a short corner from Willian before whipping it to the far post for the Germany international to loop a header back across goal and into the net.

Willy Caballero merely watched for 55 minutes before expertly denying Wayne Rooney from point-blank range.

The Toffees rallied and almost profited from Caballero’s sloppy ball out before a slight deflection sent Aaron Lennon’s effort from six yards just over the bar.

Michy Batshuayi almost capitalised when the ball went past the onrushing Jordan Pickford, but Phil Jagielka recovered superbly to deny him on the line.

Ademola Lookman’s powerful drive hit the bar but the Blues held on to secure their place in the next round.

In some late drama, Willian appeared to put the game to bed after neat interplay with Fabregas before Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave the Toffees hope, but too late.

(
Image:
AFP)

1. Ampadu impresses again

The Welsh starlet is the beneficiary of N’Golo Kante’s hamstring injury and Antonio Conte’s reluctance to shift David Luiz or Andreas Christensen about too often.

A calming influence in the middle of the pitch, the 17-year-old played alongside Danny Drinkwater and wasted little time in demonstrating what he is all about.

As Drinkwater was hurried by Wayne Rooney, Ampadu stepped in and shrugged off the former England captain to reclaim possession amidst wild cheers from the Matthew Harding stand.

Already called up by Chris Coleman for the senior side, his quick feet show he can cope when given the ball in tight spaces.

Showed his bravery to shrug off a crunching challenge from fellow youngster Beni Baningime, who won the ball and everything else.

(
Image:
AFP)

2. Drinkwater shows promise

A champion with Leicester, Drinkwater’s arrival has been met with scepticism, which was compounded by a calf injury to spoil any hopes of making an early impact.

Drinkwater anchored the midfield, directly replacing N’Golo Kante and allowing Ampadu some freedom to roam. Despite not playing since May last season, he showed confidence with delicate touches to provide him time and space to construct the Blues’ attacks.

He allowed Davies to skip past him on a few occasions when Everton forced turnovers, but his switch of play gave the Blues a great option that Eden Hazard and Pedro could profit from when on the same pitch.

Daniel Drinkwater keeps tabs on James McCarthy (
Image:
Everton FC)

3. Baningime repays Unsworth

David Unsworth has been quietly assembling a highly respected reputation with the Toffees’ Under-23 side and he wasted little time in using that experience to influence his audition for the first team manager’s job.

Beni Baningime is seen as an exceptional prospect at Everton, but deployed in centre-midfield, Unsworth could have selected others to demonstrate his intention to utilise their talented academy.

The Congo-born defensive midfielder instantly endeared himself to the visiting supporters with a powerful challenge to take the ball and send Ethan Ampadu flying.

More will follow having witnessed how Baningime prospered to repay Unsworth’s faith.

Everton's Beni Baningime shows he's up to the standard (
Image:
AFP)

4. Musonda grasps opportunity after social media embarrassment

Charly Musonda has long been seen as an elite prospect at Cobham but damaged his chances of becoming the poster boy of the academy when he spoke out about a lack of chances.

The Belgian star, seen as either a box-to-box midfielder or a No.10, bemoaned receiving “literally nothing” back despite his best efforts in training.

His manager advised him to be “focused on the pitch and not on social media,” and was given a rare start tonight.

A great cross from a short corner off Willian was curled beautifully to the back post for Rudiger to convert.

Still vulnerable when competing in deeper areas due his slight frame, but his speed and ability on the ball helped lead several counter-attacks.

Once N’Golo Kante recovers from his injury and lessens the need for the two support strikers to drop back, Musonda will be a fine alternative for Conte.

Charly Musonda makes amends for the Blues (
Image:
Chelsea FC)

5. Toffees show character under Unsworth

Timid and slow, Everton offered little in the first half to suggest a change of manager will trigger any sort of reaction.

But Unsworth’s team talk appeared to do the trick, leading to a brighter, more aggressive pattern of play.

Caballero denied Rooney and Mirallas and Lookman hit the bar, but despite no equaliser, Unsworth forced a positive reaction.