Paul Merson laughs as Everton ace mocked by Sky Sports pundit for what he did v Southampton

Jesper Lindstrom wasted a wonderful opportunity for Everton double their lead against Southampton that Glenn Murray joked he wasn’t allowed to score.

The Dane was played clean through shortly after Abdoulaye Doucouré put the Toffees one up 20 minutes in on 17 September, and had a man in support he could have squared to for an easy finish, but passed a tame effort straight at Alex McCarthy.

Paul Merson was laughing at Murray’s sarcastic joke live on Sky Sports News, and failure to take the opportunity was soon punished as Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed home an equaliser.

Murray said (8.10pm): “Everton get possession and break three on two. Lindstrom opens his body but can’t find the far corner. But apparently, Jules [Warren], he’s under strict instructions not to put them 2-0 up.”

Abdoulaye Doucouré puts Everton ahead but lead soon lost

The Carabao Cup isn’t going to make or break the Toffees’ season but that doesn’t mean golden chances to score can simply be passed up.

Fans have been understandably frustrated with Sean Dyche’s reluctance to put his summer signings into the line-up in the Premier League but he won’t be changing his mind on the Napoli loanee any time soon if Lindstrom doesn’t improve in the second half.

The eight changes made from the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa were partly influenced by illness and injury concerns and while centre-back Jake O’Brien looked decent at both ends in the first half the winger should have put the Toffees into a two-goal lead in his biggest moment but fluffed his lines.

Granted, being 2-0 up is arguably the most dangerous place to be in for Everton right now after back-to-back 3-2 losses but in a low-key first 45 minutes the Lindstrom chance was the biggest moment aside from the goals.

Dyche’s men have often had issues in front of goal over the past year and despite Lindstrom only just arriving he might have already conformed.

On the whole an inexperienced line up did okay against a comparatively established Saints XI despite a huge imbalance in possession and could still provide a boost by making it through in the second period.

But they will need to find a way to take their chances if they are going to.

In other Everton news, a crucial free agent update has emerged with places left open in the squad to add.

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