Everton will need to end a 13-year streak if they wish to progress past Bournemouth in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday evening.
For much of the campaign, it has been perceived that the Toffees have enjoyed a positive start having improved at the defensive end of the pitch.
However, Saturday's 2-0 reverse to Leicester City represented Everton's fourth defeat in six outings, leaving the club just two points above the Premier League relegation zone.
Ahead of the break for the World Cup, Everton now face back-to-back fixtures with Bournemouth in different competitions, starting with the League Cup.
Both games are taking place at the Vitality Stadium and Frank Lampard would certainly prefer to collect three points at the weekend if given the choice.
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Nevertheless, there is also a desire to go deep in a cup competition, with Everton being required to break a 13-year run if they are to progress through to the last 16.
The Merseyside outfit have not won an EFL Cup tie away to Premier League opposition since a 4-0 triumph over Hull City in September 2009.
Since then, Everton have lost five times to teams from the top flight, starting with Blackburn Rovers in the same season.
Tottenham Hotspur were the victors at White Hart Lane during the following campaign, before the next defeat came at Craven Cottage against Fulham in 2013-14.
The next setback came away at Swansea City, before they went down 3-1 versus Manchester City in the semi-finals during 2015-16.
Most recently, Everton lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2017, while three of the four exits since then have been via penalty shootouts.
Darren Plant
