Shayne Lavery struck with three minutes to play to earn determined and ambitious Everton a fully-merited Premier League Cup victory over Portsmouth.
The Toffees’ were the brighter side throughout, save for a brief spell following Nathan Broadhead’s 72nd-minute opener.
Pompey were behind only two minutes before Theo Widdrington levelled from the penalty spot after Nathan Markelo had been penalised for a nudge in the box.
But Lavery pounced to drive home the decisive goal after latching onto fellow substitute Antony Evans’ knockdown from Luke Garbutt’s sweet left-wing delivery.