On the touchline, as the temperature dropped, Carlo Ancelotti became more animated than at any point in the previous 62 minutes.
A passage of keep ball from Everton suddenly led to space opening up in their own half and, in a flash, they began motoring up the field. James Rodriguez was in possession and Ancelotti turned his volume up, bellowing: “Allez! Allez! Allez!”
This was as straightforward a victory for Everton as many envisaged, Sheffield Wednesday being brushed aside with the minimum of fuss, but that did not mean it was cup tie devoid of enjoyment. Far from it.