Player ratings vs Newcastle: Everton seal League Cup progress with ease

Everton and David Moyes really needed that.

Jack Grealish’s omission dominated the pre-match build-up, but after a shaky start, Everton cruised to a 3-1 win over Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and they will now face Fleetwood Town in the League Cup quarter-finals.

James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry got the goals on a great night down on the docks.

EVERTON PLAYER RATINGS 

• Jordan Pickford — 8/10 Was kept busy, albeit without really having to pull off any incredible saves, though he did do well to deny Anthony Elanga late on. A solid night at the office after a few poor displays and unlucky not to keep a clean sheet.
• Merlin Röhl — 6/10 Plenty of endeavour, but no composure. Some really sloppy touches and questionable defensive positioning as he learns his new role, though made a couple of excellent recoveries in the second half. He does get targeted, though.
• James Tarkowski — 9/10 Excellent throughout, but a fantastic challenge in the first half to deny Newcastle what seemed set to be a certain opener stands out. Playing really well at the moment.
• Jake O’Brien — 7/10 Made a brilliant block just after Everton had gone 3-1 up. Should be more commanding in the air given his stature and he failed to deal with the cross for Newcastle’s goal.
• Vitalli Mykolenko — 7/10 A few hap-hazard moments, but generally kept Jacob Murphy and then Bazoumana Toure quiet. Also teed up Hackney for a great chance at 0-0.
• James Garner — 7/10 His best performance of the season by far, and boy was it needed. Took his goal really well, going early to take Lukas Hornicek by surprise. Also played a key role in Everton’s third, starting the counter-attack that was finished off by Barry.
• Hayden Hackney — 8/10 Should have been playing more than he has done, and this proved it. A goal and an assist on his first start since playing against Wolves in the last round of this competition. A few odd decisions in possession, but always has a positive intent.
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall — 8/10 Another of Everton’s key players who stood up to be counted. His driving run was crucial to Hackney’s goal, and then he had the composure and vision to set up Barry for the clincher.
• Tyler Dibling — 6/10 A subdued display from the youngster, especially compared to his showing against Wolves. Some neat touches and bits of skill, but he was unusually slack with his passing.
• Thierno Barry — 8/10 His hold-up play was lacking at times but he came up with the goods. Played a sublime cross in for Hackney to score, and then took his goal brilliantly.
• Tyrique George — 6/10 Tried a few driving runs, but it just didn’t click for him. Once again played on the left in the absence of Grealish. He’s young and raw, but he can do more, though it was his pressure that saw Amar Dedic give away the ball in the build-up to Garner’s opener.

SUBSTITUTES

• Harrison Armstrong — 6/10 Did absolutely fine when he came on for Hackney, who had been booked. But his place in the XI next week could be under a bit of threat.
• Brennan Johnson — 5/10 Wasn’t able to impact the attack and was caught out defensively late on.
• Carlos Alcaraz — 5/10 Couldn’t get into the game.
• Ainsley Maitland-Niles — 6/10 Replaced Mykolenko for the closing stages and filled in at left-back.
• Christian Nørgaard — 6/10 A much better display than his debut, though the bar was low. Made one important, clearing header in stoppage time.