Reds 2
Everton 0
Barnsley lead Everton 2-0 at half time in their Capital One Cup tie at Oakwell after a fantastic opening half.
The half began in frantic fashion with Josh Scowen firing inches wide in the opening minute. The Toffees instantly responded as Bryan Oviedo cut inside but failed to hit the target.
Adam Davies produced a stunning double save, first to deny Kevin Mirallas’ swerving drive and then Aiden McGeady’s follow-up from close range.
Not to be outdone, Tykes forward Sam Winnall connected firmly with Conor Hourihane’s cross but failed to find the net.
On 16 minutes, Mirallas played a neat one-two with McGeady and let fly, only for Davies to again deny him while Romelu Lukaku was unable to connect with Matthew Pennington’s dangerous delivery.
Twenty-two minutes in and the Reds had seized the initiative. Hourihane fought off both John Stones and Phil Jagielka, the ball broke for kindly Sam Winnall and the striker found the bottom corner in clinical fashion.
Six minutes later and the Reds doubled their lead through Marley Watkins. Marc Roberts crossed to back post, Josh Scowen headed back across goal and Watkins bundled the ball home from close range.
Winnall was cautioned for tripping Muhamed Besic on 33 minutes and a moments later, Roberts put his body on the line to deny Lukaku from eight yards out.
McGeady tested Davies with a curling left-footed drive from the edge of the area on 36 minutes while Mirallas fired over after a jinking run.
Roberts and Wabara prevented any further damage with a series of tremendous blocks, ensuring Barnsley ended the half with a two goal cushion.
Teams
Reds: Davies, Wabara, Roberts, Nyatanga, Mawson, Watkins, Scowen, Crowley, Hourihane, Pearson, Winnall.
Subs: Townsend, Rothwell, Wilkinson, Smith, Digby, Maris, Templeton.
Everton: Robles, Stones, Jagielka, McGeady, Oviedo, Lukaku, Mirallas, Naismith, Cleverley, Besic, Pennington
Subs: Kone, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Barkley, Howard, Browning, Holgate.
