William Boyle and Duane Holmes scored as Huddersfield Town made the last 16 of the Under 21 Premier League Cup with a fine 2-0 win over Everton at the John Smith’s Stadium.
While midfielder Oscar Gobern was Town’s most experienced player, Everton fielded six of the side who took on Russians Krasnodar in the Europa League.
The victory sealed a home clash with Charlton or Brighton, who meet in London next week.
Everton threatened early when on when striker Chris Long crossed for teammate Conor McAleney, but he turned his first-time effort onto the roof of the net.
Both sides battled hard to gain the advantage and it took an excellent touch by centre-back Joe Wright to divert McAleney’s dangerous cross to safety.
Town’s Flo Bojaj couldn’t quite get the decisive touch to Boyle’s cross, then he was thwarted by the visiting keeper.
Then it was Town keeper Lloyd Allinson’s turn to impress, smothering a McAleney effort, with Long putting the rebound over.
Town took the lead two minutes into the second half.
Holmes was tripped and left-back Boyle’s free-kick drifted into the net.
Phil Billing had a long-range effort saved before Allinson stopped a close-range McAleney header.
Boyle’s teasing cross was pushed over the bar before Holmes netted from the penalty spot after a push on Bojaj.
Town: Allinson; Boyle, Wright, Wilkinson, Hanson; Billing, Gobern; Tronstad, D Holmes (B Holmes, 88mins), Atkinson (Booty, 80); Bojaj (Rekeil Pyke, 87). Subs not used: Wilczynski, Carr.
