Carabao Cup Second Round: Everton Survives Scare, Brentford Storms Back

The Carabao Cup's second round unfolded Tuesday as a study in contrasts — some Premier League sides swept through with the authority of clubs asserting their place in the football hierarchy, while others were reminded that cup football has a way of humbling the complacent. From Everton's nervy survival at Huddersfield to Villa and Norwich's six-goal demolitions, the competition offered its familiar lesson: talent guarantees nothing, but character often decides. Tonight, four more top-flight clubs step into that same uncertain arena.