Chelsea

Speaking after the 2-1 victory over Lincoln City, Maresca said: "We knew that it was a very tricky game because they are the most direct team in League One, so crosses, free-kicks, throw-ins into the box, you have to defend those.

"I know some of them didn't play these kind of games. We struggled a little bit in the first half, but second half we were much better.

"I told them it was not an easy game. That is why I was so annoyed in the first half, because we know that we needed to do better."

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

I remember it being viewed fairly similarly to this Hugo Ekitike one, to be honest, Andy. If anything slightly more sympathy for Declan Rice.

(I assume we're talking about his red card against Brighton at the start of last season. Second yellow was for poking the ball away to stop Brighton taking a quick free-kick.)

Both are yellow cards by the laws of the game, both silly decisions by the players involved when they knew they were on a yellow.

Arguably Rice's impacts the actual game more - only slightly given where the incident occurred from memory - but seemed to be more people questioning that decision.

I don't think anyone has said Ekitike shouldn't have been sent off. It was a clear second yellow, the reaction of his own team-mates told you that...

Chelsea

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As Chelsea strengthened their squad with a string of attacking signings in the summer, Tyrique George was deemed surplus to requirements.

Having held talks with RB Leipzig earlier in the window, he looked to be heading to Fulham until the Cottagers opted to sign wingers Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze instead, and Harry Wilson's own move to Leeds collapsed.

Yet, that could be a blessing in disguise as George made his first start and fourth appearance of the season - again acting as deputy to only fit striker Joao Pedro.

Maresca has picked the teenager at the expense of a natural striker Marc Guiu in the Premier League, despite the Spaniard's recall from a loan spell at Sunderland on deadline day to replace the injured Liam Delap, while Nicolas Jackson left for Bayern Munich.

Chelsea

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You can hardly blame Chelsea for starting just three players against Lincoln that also started against Manchester United at the weekend.

The Blues have games against Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool all to come in the next 11 days, and most would argue that the League Cup is down the pecking order in terms of priority.

After going a goal down to League One opposition Lincoln, the potential for an upset was certainly on the cards last night.

But teenager Tyrique George had other plans, with a goal and an assist early in the second half.

An injury to summer signing Liam Delap and the departure of Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich has left Chelsea short on numbers in the lead striker role, but fans will find some comfort in George emerging as another option.

His drive from the edge of the penalty box to put Chelsea back level, before linking up with Facundo Buonanotte for the winner showed his undoubted talent and flexibility.

It's definitely less common, Paul, but not unheard of in other sports...

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport

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Nine Premier League teams have already exited the EFL Cup following last night’s round of fixtures, with Everton and Burnley the latest teams to be knocked out.

They join Manchester United, West Ham, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in exiting the competition - but is that a lot for this stage of proceedings?

The most Premier League clubs that have been eliminated from the League Cup before the fourth round is 12 in 2002-03.

There have also been four examples of 11 top-flight teams being knocked out by the end of the third round – most recently in 2014-15.

Although unlikely, it is possible that a new record of 13 exits could be set this season with four Premier League teams left to play their third-round ties.

However, such a scenario would rely on Manchester City, Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal all losing in the third round tonight.

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Everton

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By contrast, optimism has been the overriding emotion at Everton in the early weeks of the season - an unusual feeling after the past few years - with a new stadium to enjoy, stability off the pitch and Jack Grealish providing the stardust for David Moyes' team on it.

But how much of a missed opportunity was last night's loss at Wolves?

It's early days but Everton do not look like team that is going to be battling relegation, while reaching Europe might be beyond them at this stage of their development, too.

So what better time to have a real go at winning a first major trophy since 1995?

Moyes saw it differently, though, and made seven changes to the XI that started Saturday's loss at Liverpool.

With six days until their next match - at home to West Ham - was it really necessary to rest so many players?

Wolves

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Five straight league defeats to begin the season does not do much to help the morale of a football club - and for Wolves it is their worst ever league start.

However, Vitor Pereira's side are doing their best to kickstart their campaign through the League Cup with a 2-0 win over Everton putting them into the fourth round.

But with the promoted sides looking more competitive than in recent years, it is paramount that Wolves start picking up points in the league before the situation gets away from them.

"Now for the players, the new players, the time for adaptation has finished. This is time to perform and time to help the team," Pereira said after the game.

"With two or three good results we can play at another level, for sure. We're just missing the results because the players have quality.

"I'm happy for my players because I missed their smiles and the smiles of the supporters."

A tricky trip to Tottenham might not be what Wolves would have wanted given their current predicament but victory there would certainly keep smiles on the fans' faces.

Three points on Saturday and perhaps Wolves will look back in a few months and see the win over Everton as the turning point in their season?

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

It seems that when Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike earned a red card by removing his shirt in celebration last night, he not only angered his manager but also lit the blue touch paper for a red hot Get Involved topic this morning.

Keep your messages coming in and, as mentioned, our Ask Me Anything team is working on a full explanation of the issue.

While they do that, let's return to the actual football...

Re Matt Stourbridge

I don't think I am sticking my neck out here by saying that the laws of the game are definitely not driven by shirt sponsors. But rest assured that our Ask Me Anything team is working on a definitive answer to the question of why a player is booked for taking their shirt off in celebration. Watch this space...

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Phil Parkinson felt Nathan Broadhead's double in Wrexham's 2-0 win against Reading was the perfect reward for the Wales forward after his "best week" in training.

Broadhead has been troubled by fitness issues since last month's big-money move from Ipswich Town, which could eventually be worth £10m.

But the 27-year-old ignited his Wrexham career with two goals in the second half against the Royals as the Red Dragons sealed their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the first time since 1977-78.

Parkinson says Broadhead deserved his time in the limelight given that he is carrying the weight of being the club's record signing and hailing from the local area on his shoulders.

"He's a matchwinner, there's no doubt about that," said the Wrexham manager.

"I'm really pleased for him. It's always tough when you come to a new club, there's expectations on you, and not just that, your hometown club as well.

"I felt last week in training was his best week since his injury and he's taken that into tonight's game with two really good goals."

The Reading win was Wrexham's fourth triumph in five matches across all competitions, while they kept a second clean sheet of the campaign in the process.

Listen: Phil Parkinson hails 'matchwinner' Nathan Broadhead

@James 09:42 BST

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has praised his team's character after his League One side responded to their first defeat of the season by toppling Premier League Burnley in the Carabao Cup.

Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Turf Moor followed the Bluebirds' 3-1 League One loss at home to Bradford City last Saturday.

Cardiff can now look forward to a first fourth-round tie since their trip to the final of this competition 13 years ago.

"It means a lot to us to play the way we did and bounce back from what was undoubtedly a disappointing day for us on Saturday," Barry-Murphy said.

"I think when you come to play a team in the Premier League, you've got two choices: you can either step back and hope for the best or try and take your destiny into your own hands.

"We were very aggressive in the way we played the game, and the lads were on the front foot right from the first whistle."

Cardiff were well worth their win over Burnley, leading 2-0 at half-time and creating chances to extend their lead after conceding in the second half.

Their Premier League opponents searched desperately for a late equaliser but Cardiff defended resolutely.

"I think you have to show character all the time in sport as in life," Barry-Murphy added.

Listen: Cardiff took ‘destiny’ into their own hands - Brian Barry-Murphy