Everton 2 – 0 Newcastle Utd [HT]
Everton host Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup tonight, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs. Wednesday night’s draw means the winners will be paired with Fleetwood Town in the last eight. Though the fourth-tier strugglers secured a giant-killing against Arsenal earlier this week, Fleetwood are the lowest-ranked side still in the competition. It’s increased the stakes, as the Blues look to end a long trophy drought this season.
David Moyes and his side will need to show more than they have in limp defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks.
Team News
David Moyes has handed opportunities to Tyler Dibling, Hayden Hackney, and Tyrique George from the start, in an encouraging selection. Jake O’Brien partners James Tarkowski in the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite, while Merlin Röhl continues at right-back. Jack Grealish is again unavailable — “due to a breach of club discipline”!
For Newcastle, there is one change. Joelinton drops to the bench for Jacob Ramsey, who starts for the first time since Newcastle’s third-round win over Millwall.
First Half
The Toffees got things goings with Garner back to Pickford, Everton looking to advance through Hackney who was blatantly pushed over — nothing given, but it helped pump up the atmosphere and Dewsbury-Hall had a long shot deflected for a corner, cleared for a throw-in, long from O’Brien. It fell to George but his connection was all wrong.
At the other end, a wild shot from Hall. Barry was next to go down when his shirt was tugged — nothing given. The early urgency faded a little as Dibling looked to advance but was pushed off the ball. Dewsbury-Hall trod on Schar’s ankle without sanction but a great ball to Barnes beats his marker Rohl, Pickford making a vital save at the expense of a corner that was just about kept out, Burn shooting over.
But Newcastle had done a strong job on unsettling Everton who were all at sixes and sevens but somehow they kept the ball out of their goal, with panic setting in all over the defence.
Branes slipped one through to Wilock who almost beat Pickford, O’Brien there to clear away his fumbled save. Schar then fired in a rocket that Pickford had to parry but he was very busy and not very happy. Newcastle were attacking at will, Barnes next with a weak ground shot.
Mykolenko did really well to get forward and lay a cross at Hackney’s feet but it bounced harmlessly off him to Hornicek. Dibling couldn’t get his cross over but won a corner. Dewsbury-Hall’s effort was cleared by Newcastle but Garner tried a shot blocked at source.
A better Blues attack saw George create a little bit of chaos at the other end, and a call for handball, but ultimately nothing clear. Hackney got the ball across to Dibling via Barry but the shot was awful. However, at least Everton were now getting forward.
But Osula got through thanks to a great pass from Willock and looked all set to score, only for an unbelievable block from Tarkowski. Osula really felt that one!
George was easily halted down the wing. Dewsbury-Hall andHackney tried to make something happen but were crowded out. But in the next attack, with George battling, a lose ball was smartly played across by Hackney and it opened up for James Garner (34′) who fired a great low shot into the far corner. 1 – 0!
The game had been really competitive, if fractious and scrappy — lots of turnovers and very little quality football. Newcastle came forward, Ramsey’s shot blocked, Barnes screwing his effort wide. But they were determined to level things up, bodies falling all over the Everton penalty area but nothing given. Barnes strode forward but his shot was deflected to Pickford.
Everton countered brilliantly, Dewsbury-Hall fouled, advantage played, Barryu rescuing the lost ball and crossing it beautifully for Hayden Hackney (45′) to clip in a superb finish. 2 – 0.
George almost released Barry before the whistle went on a frantic first half in which Everton had done the business, scoring two excellent goals.
Second Half
Three big changes for Newcastle at the break, Everton were set for a real battle to keep their half-time lead.
Team Lineups
Everton: Pickford, Röhl, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Hackney, Dibling, George, Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Maitland-Niles, Keane, Johnson, Nørgaard, Alcaraz, Armstrong, Graham.
Newcastle United: Hornicek; Dedic, Schar, Burn (c), Hall; Gonzalez, Ramsey (46′ Joelinton); Murphy, Willock, Barnes (46′ Elanga); Osula (46′ Wissa).
Subs: Pope, Botman, Bamba, Thiaw, Steur, Toure.
Match Officials
Referee: Farai Hallam
Assistants: James Mainwaring and Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth Official: Sam Barrott