Tom Davies thanked Evertonians for creating an “unbelievable” atmosphere under the Goodison lights as he called on the Blues to pick themselves up after their crushing penalty shootout loss to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Everton once again showed fighting spirit under caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson to battle back in the tie courtesy of Davies’ neat volley on 70 minutes before Leighton Baines’ stunning 25-yard strike in injury-time.

The comeback got Goodison rocking, only for Leicester to take the spoils after a 4-2 penalty shootout success.

Davies conceded the Blues were gutted to see their bid for a last-four spot denied in cruel fashion. But having beaten Chelsea in their previous Goodison clash and drawn 1-1 at Manchester United on Sunday, the midfielder wants his teammates to go again when Arsenal come to Merseyside on Saturday.

“We are all gutted,” admitted the Academy graduate. “I think they set up well against us but we didn’t start how we wanted to. Second half we were good and, after getting back into the game, we are disappointed we haven’t gone on to win it.

“We are all just gutted about the result. If you look at the performance it has been a good second half, but at the moment it’s so disappointing for us all after getting back into the game. But we will pick ourselves up and go again.”

Davies added: “The stadium is unbelievable when you get big nights like this. When the goal went in, everyone sensed we could get back into the game. The atmosphere was unbelievable and I’m just gutted for everyone that we haven’t gone through.

“Thanks to the fans for everything they put in there – we are all sorry about not getting into the next round.”

Davies praised fellow goalscorer and close friend Baines after the loyal Everton servant – in his 13^th season with the Club – marked his first start of the campaign with an unstoppable strike past Kasper Schmeichel with seconds remaining.

Baines went on to miss a spot-kick in the shootout but Davies highlighted the 35-year-old’s impressive display, having played 73 minutes of football in 2019/20 prior to the Leicester clash.

“Leighton is an unbelievable player,” said Davies. “To come back into the team as he has, he showed that he has still got that quality.

“His goal just sums up how good he has been for us over the years. I’m gutted he has missed a pen but without him we wouldn’t have got there. He’s a fantastic lad and a fantastic player. I’m sure he will pick himself up and we go again at the weekend.”