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Ross Barkley marked his 100th appearance for Everton with a stunning volley to inspire another ­fightback in the League Cup win over Reading.

Roberto Martinez’s side needed extra-time after recovering from going two goals down at Barnsley in the last round.

And on Tuesday night they trailed to Nick Blackman’s strike following an off-colour first half in their third-choice green and black kit.

But Barkley levelled and then won the free-kick from which Gerard Deulofeu scored the winner to put Everton in the fourth round for the first time since 2011.

(Image: Ben Hoskins)

That was in 21-year-old England star Barkley’s first season.

“I think he has gone to a different level,” said Everton boss Martinez. “For someone so young to already to have 100 games for our football club is an immense landmark.

“I think he’s a completely different player from what we saw last season or a couple of seasons back: maturity, always controlling the big moments.

“I think his overall performance was of a player a lot older.

“We are all excited to see him progressing and ­developing into a very, very special player.”

In pictures – Tuesday's League Cup action:

Deulofeu celebrated his first start of the season with his first goal since March, though Reading keeper Ali Al Habsi should have saved his 30-yard free-kick. He got a hand to the ball but could not stop it going in off a post.

The Royals were made to pay for a ­goalkeeping error by Adam Federici in their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal last season.

“That’s the life of a goalkeeper,” said boss Steve Clarke. “I thought we played really well, especially in the first half.”

(Image: Getty)

Everton’s Joel Robles, one of five changes in the team, made three saves before Blackman gave the home side a deserved lead with his seventh goal of the season after 37 minutes.

Martinez replaced Arouna Kone with Gareth Barry at the break, while John Stones was taken off as a “precaution” after taking a knock on his right knee.

“He is going to be assessed over the next 48 hours but I don’t expect it to be anything too serious,” said Martinez.