Sunday 31 January 2016 16:26, UK
Two early goals were the catalyst as Everton eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Carlisle at Brunton Park.
Arouna Kone scored with just 92 seconds on the clock and Aaron Lennon added another with a smart finish before the 15-minute mark to dent home hopes of an upset.
The game lacked an edge for much of its duration as a result of Everton's quick impact and it took until well into the second half before England midfielder Ross Barkley added a third.
Roberto Martinez's men were rarely troubled, with Derek Asamoah having only a couple of half-chances for Carlisle as the League Two side's run in the competition came to an end.
Carlisle were hosting the tie just a few weeks on from major floods across Cumbria had left Brunton Park under several feet of water, but with a relaid pitch and a near-capacity crowd, the venue had a real buzz prior to kick-off.
Sadly for home fans, that excitement was all but gone within two minutes of the game starting as Kone put Everton ahead.
Lennon latched on to a lofted ball over the top from Seamus Coleman then scampered down the right and crossed for an easy finish for the Ivory Coast international.
Lennon added Everton's second just minutes later, completing a fine team move for just his second goal since making a permanent move from Tottenham.
This time Barkley was the provider but Lennon's first touch was crucial as it took him away from Michael Raynes and allowed him the space to convert under keeper Mark Gillespie.
Lennon was constantly getting forward and involved in most of the good attacking play Martinez's side displayed before the break.
But the Toffees where made to wait until the 65th-minute for a third as Barkley's deflected strike effectively sealed the tie following good work from Leon Osman.
There were opportunities for Everton to make their victory even more handsome and Tom Cleverley and Kone were both guilty of letting good openings pass them by.
There was never any danger of them being punished for that, however, as Keith Curle's decision to pick a defensive Carlisle line-up backfired with the two early goals.
By the time he introduced his leading scorer Jabo Ibehre as his final replacement, any hope the hosts might have had of getting back into the tie was gone.
Even when it seemed Carlisle might give their fans a goal to cheer moments from the end, they were denied that in stubborn fashion by Phil Jagielka.
Ibehre caught sight of the far corner and did everything right as he released his shot - only to see Jagielka thrust himself in the way to preserve a most-welcome clean sheet, as well as a place in the fifth round.
