Half-Time Report: Everton on course for fourth round

Everton have opened up a two-goal lead over Cheltenham Town in their FA Cup third-round clash at Whaddon Road.

The first half-chance came the hosts' way in the sixth minute, when Kaid Mohamed showed strength in jostling Seamus Coleman off the ball before teeing up Darren Carter.

However, the former Birmingham City midfielder scuffed his shot from around 12 yards out.

Mark Yates's men had enjoyed a promising start to the contest, but it was the Toffees who went ahead in the 12th minute.

Bryan Oviedo and Marouane Fellaini linked up nicely down the left, and Nikica Jelavic reacted quickest when the Belgian's shot came back off Scott Brown's upright.

Leighton Baines was then given the chance to double Everton's lead from the penalty spot eight minutes later.

The referee deemed that Alan Bennett had climbed on the back of Fellaini, and the England international made no mistake as he sent the ball firmly into Brown's bottom-right corner.

Jermaine McGlashan had a decent opportunity to reduce Cheltenham's arrears when the Blues failed to deal with a long throw into the box, but the 24-year-old was unable to keep his shot down.