David Moyes’ men produced an impressive display at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, scoring twice before the break through James Garner and Hayden Hackney. Thierno Barry added a third in the second half, while Dan Burn’s late goal for Newcastle did little to change the outcome.
The victory also ended Everton’s three-match winless run and moved them closer to a possible return to Wembley. They will travel to face Fleetwood in the week beginning December 14 as they continue their pursuit of a first League Cup final appearance in 43 years.
Fleetwood, nicknamed the Cod Army, earned their place in the quarter-finals with a remarkable result on Tuesday. They eliminated Premier League champions Arsenal in a penalty shoot-out after holding them to a 1-1 draw at Highbury, producing one of the biggest surprises in the competition’s history.
Everton have never lifted the League Cup, having lost both finals they have reached, in 1977 and 1984. Their most recent major trophy remains the FA Cup, which they won in 1995, leaving supporters waiting for another success for more than three decades.
Among those celebrating Thursday’s performance from the stands was British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a lifelong Everton supporter who was old enough to witness the club’s last FA Cup triumph.
The two sides will not have to wait long to meet again, with Newcastle set to host Everton at St James’ Park in the Premier League on Monday.
However, Everton’s team news attracted attention before kick-off after the club announced that Jack Grealish had been left out of the squad because of a breach of club discipline. The Manchester City loanee has faced criticism over his conduct away from the pitch, with reports suggesting he had missed training without permission. His absence, however, did not affect Everton’s performance.
Garner and Hackney put Everton in control
Newcastle started with some attacking intent and tested Jordan Pickford early in the contest. The Everton goalkeeper reacted well to keep out Joe Willock’s low effort before producing another save to deny Fabian Schar from distance.
Everton gradually settled into the game and took the lead in the 34th minute. Hackney created the opportunity by finding Garner inside the penalty area, and the midfielder stretched to send a well-directed finish into the far corner. It was Garner’s first goal since January.
The hosts continued to build momentum and doubled their advantage just before half-time. A quick counter-attack ended with Barry delivering a cross into the six-yard box, where Hackney arrived at the right moment to volley past Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle responded by making three changes at the interval, introducing Joelinton, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa in an attempt to turn the game around.
Wissa nearly made an immediate impact after racing onto a pass from Willock, but he failed to control the bouncing ball properly and headed straight at Pickford.
That missed opportunity proved costly as Everton extended their lead in the 69th minute. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall supplied the cross, allowing Barry to fire home from close range and register his seventh goal of the season.
Newcastle managed to pull one back in the 88th minute when Burn headed in Willock’s cross. The goal sparked a confrontation involving several players, but it came too late to give the visitors a realistic chance of recovering the tie.
Everton held on comfortably to complete a deserved victory and take another step towards ending their long wait for silverware.
