Everton recovered from a red card for striker Moise Kean to squeeze past battling Huddersfield with a late winner from Andros Townsend.
In a dramatic second half which saw Huddersfield have a goal controversially disallowed and Kean dismissed for retaliation, Townsend kept his cool to convert his first Everton goal.
Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan grew up in Valencia, where he admired Benitez for winning two La Liga titles with his hometown club.
Andros Townsend hit the back of the net for his first Everton goal to seal progression
Returning star Moise Kean was dismissed by a straight after a confrontation with an opponent
MATCH FACTS
Huddersfield (3-5-2) Nicholls 6.