LONDON, CMC – Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell hailed winger Demetri Mitchell after his winning goal on Tuesday knocked Premier League side Luton Town out of the English League Cup.
The 26-year-old, who indicated last year that he hoped to represent Jamaica, where his grandparents were born, scored a late winner and was sent off as League 1 Exeter City upset Luton 1-0 in the third round of the Cup at St James Park.
Mitchell, a contemporary of Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford, struck in the 83rd minute when he finished Yanic Wildschut’s cross at the far post to hand City the win. Still, he was sent off five minutes later for a second yellow card.
Exeter progressed to the fourth round for the first time in 34 years and earned their first victory over a top-flight side since beating Leicester 3-1 in the FA Cup 42 years ago.
“He’s been fantastic since he came to the club,” Caldwell told BBC Sport about the former Manchester United Academy player.
Mitchell joined Exeter in January after spells in Scotland and other clubs in England, and he is beginning to thrive in Devon under Caldwell, who has known him since he was a young player.
“He’s a player with huge talent,” Caldwell said. “He has to put it together, and I think he has in many moments since he’s been at this football club.
“Playing on the wrong side, switching him to the other side, scoring a goal, but being a constant threat with his dribbling and his ability to run us up the pitch was amazing.”
Exeter have been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the club being owned by the club’s supporters, and Caldwell said he preferred to have a side come to St James Park rather than a glamorous trip away from Devon in the next round.
“This stadium’s special; we want anyone to come here,” he said. “We believe that when we get it right, we can be a natural match for anyone.
“That’s the spirit I want to get in and the belief I want to get into these players, and (this match) will hopefully give them confidence.”
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