Everton faced another setback in their difficult start to the season as they were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on penalties by fellow struggling team Southampton after a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Manager Sean Dyche's team entered the third-round match seeking a positive result in the cup, having suffered two defeats since their 3-0 victory over Doncaster in round two, leaving them with zero points from their first four league matches and at the bottom of the table.
Everton took the lead with Abdoulaye Doucoure's header in the 20th minute, but Southampton, who also had not yet earned a point in the Premier League this season, equalized through Taylor Harwood-Bellis just after the half-hour mark.
Despite Jesper Lindstrom missing two good chances to score, with his shots saved by Alex McCarthy on both occasions, the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Southampton, managed by Russell Martin, ultimately emerged victorious, winning 6-5 after McCarthy saved Ashley Young's penalty kick that hit the post.
Both teams made several changes to their line-ups, with Everton making eight adjustments to their starting eleven, and Southampton making 10 changes.
Early on, Everton threatened with Beto's shot saved by McCarthy, followed by Dwight McNeil heading over the bar. The home team then took the lead through Doucoure after a corner kick from McNeil was headed on by Michael Keane.
Lindstrom missed a chance to extend Everton's lead, and Harwood-Bellis equalized with a header from Taylor's free-kick six minutes later.
There were chances for Keane and Maxwel Cornet before Lindstrom was denied by McCarthy again in the second half. Virginia then saved a shot from Ryan Fraser before a double substitution by Dyche.
In the penalty shootout, both teams scored five times before Southampton converted their sixth penalty, and McCarthy saved Young's attempt to secure the win for the visitors.