- Everton Beat Newcastle 3-1 to Reach Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals
Everton advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after producing a clinical performance to defeat Newcastle United 3-1 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry scored for David Moyes’ side, while Dan Burn headed home a late consolation for Newcastle.
The victory earned Everton an away quarter-final against League Two side Fleetwood Town, who produced one of the competition’s biggest shocks by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal.
Everton are now one victory away from reaching their first cup semi-final since 2016 and have a significant opportunity to challenge for a trophy they have never won.
Newcastle started the fourth-round contest strongly and created several early opportunities, but Jordan Pickford prevented the visitors from converting their possession into a lead.
Harvey Barnes found space behind Everton’s defence after being picked out by Nico González, but his header was saved by Pickford.
Jacob Ramsey also had an effort blocked, while Fabian Schär tested the Everton goalkeeper from distance as Newcastle controlled much of the opening period.
Everton gradually settled into the contest and took the lead in the 34th minute after Newcastle lost possession near their corner flag.
Tyrique George pressured Amar Dedić and forced the defender into an error. Hackney reacted quickly to move the loose ball into Garner’s path, and the midfielder curled a composed finish into the bottom corner.
The goal arrived against the general flow of the game but exposed Newcastle’s vulnerability when attempting to play out under pressure.
Everton doubled their advantage shortly before half-time with a fast counterattack that began after Pickford collected a Newcastle effort.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drove forward before being brought down, but referee Farai Hallam allowed play to continue.
Barry carried the ball towards the right side of the penalty area and delivered an accurate cross for Hackney, who guided a first-time finish beyond Newcastle goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček.
It was Hackney’s first goal for Everton since joining the club from Middlesbrough and gave the hosts a commanding 2-0 advantage at the interval.
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle responded by making three substitutions at half-time, introducing Joelinton, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa.
The changes increased Newcastle’s attacking pressure, with Wissa attempting to direct a header over the advancing Pickford and Dedić having an effort deflected over the crossbar.
Everton, however, defended with discipline and continued to threaten whenever Newcastle lost possession.
The hosts effectively settled the contest in the 69th minute through another clinical transition.
Garner recovered the ball and released Dewsbury-Hall down the left. The midfielder reached the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Barry, who controlled it and fired into the top corner.
The goal completed an influential performance from Barry, who had already assisted Hackney’s first-half strike.
It was also the forward’s fourth goal of the Carabao Cup campaign and demonstrated Everton’s ability to punish Newcastle’s defensive mistakes with speed and precision.
Newcastle continued to attack and Pickford was required to deny Joe Willock after Everton had scored their third.
Burn eventually reduced the deficit in the closing stages, heading home a cross after moving into an advanced position.
The goal sparked a brief confrontation involving players from both teams, with Burn, Joelinton and James Tarkowski receiving bookings.
However, the late strike did little to alter the outcome as Everton comfortably protected their advantage through the remaining minutes.
The result was particularly impressive because Everton played without Jack Grealish, who was dropped from the squad following what the club described as a disciplinary breach.
The Manchester City loanee was reportedly excluded after missing a training session earlier in the week.
Moyes’ decision underlined the manager’s insistence on maintaining discipline regardless of a player’s profile or importance.
Everton responded to Grealish’s absence with a collective display built on hard work, direct counterattacking and efficient finishing.
Newcastle registered considerably more attempts but lacked Everton’s composure in the decisive moments. Defensive errors contributed to each of the hosts’ goals, while Pickford’s interventions stopped Newcastle from establishing control on the scoreboard.
Jaissle described his team’s performance as “naive” and said the defeat was “shocking,” particularly because Newcastle created enough opportunities to remain competitive.
“The first, second and third goals were the same, with individual mistakes,” the Newcastle coach said.
“We need to be more efficient and learn fast.”
Everton must now avoid underestimating Fleetwood, whose victory over Arsenal demonstrated the risks of facing a lower-league opponent in a knockout competition.
The quarter-final will be played at Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium in December, giving the League Two side home advantage.
For Everton, however, the draw presents a realistic route to the semi-finals.
After struggling for goals in recent Premier League matches, scoring three against Newcastle may also provide renewed confidence beyond the cup competition.
Everton were not dominant throughout the fourth-round tie, but they were organised, decisive and ruthless when opportunities arrived.
That efficiency ensured Newcastle’s possession and shot count ultimately counted for little and moved Moyes’ side within two victories of a Carabao Cup final.
