Gerard Deulofeu strike caps Everton comeback at Reading

Gerard Deulofeu's 73rd-minute free kick has seen Everton fight back from a goal down to knock Championship Reading out of the League Cup.

Nick Blackman had given the Royals a half-time lead at the Madejski Stadium, but second-half efforts from Ross Barkley and Deulofeu see the Toffees reach the last 16 of the competition.

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Arouna Kone went close to giving the Premier League side an early lead as the Ivory Coast forward smashed a shot narrowly wide of Ali Al-Habsi's goal.

Blackman, who netted a brace in a 2-0 win at Bristol City on Saturday, nearly put the Royals ahead, but was denied by stand-in keeper Joel Robles.

The in-form Reading attacker brought another save out of the Everton stopper, but finally found a way through on 36 minutes as his fierce shot left Robles beaten.

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Ramiro Funes Mori almost brought Roberto Martinez's men on level terms early in the second period, but the summer signing from River Plate headed wide from a set piece.

However, Everton drew level just after the hour mark as Barkley found space to shoot before beating Al-Habsi.

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With 17 minutes left, the Blues took the lead after a well-taken free kick from Deulofeu flew beyond the Reading keeper, to the delight of the travelling Toffees' support.

Lucas Piazon, making his first start for the Royals, almost forced extra time, but his shot was saved by Robles as Everton hung on to reach the last 16.