Everton set up a Carabao Cup quarter-final against League Two Fleetwood as they eased to a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
The Toffees overcame the absence of Jack Grealish, left out due to a breach of club discipline after an unauthorised absence from training, thanks to goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry.
On Tuesday Arsenal learned to their cost that Fleetwood cannot be overlooked but David Moyes’ side are now clear favourites to reach the last four of a competition they have never won as they target their first silverware since lifting the FA Cup in 1995.
Everton pounded on a defensive mistake to take the lead in the 34th minute, with Garner firing low in to the far corner for his first goal since January.

Jake O’Brien (l) started at centre-back again for Everton
Hackney, last season’s Championship player of the year making only his third Everton start since joining from Middlesbrough in the summer, then opened his Toffees account just before half-time, left with a simple close-range finish as Everton hit Newcastle on the counter.
Barry applied the killer blow in the 69th minute, finding space inside the box to pick his spot from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross, and although Dan Burn headed in an 88th minute consolation goal, it was far too late as Newcastle’s hopes of reclaiming the trophy they lifted in 2025 were dashed.
Republic of Ireland defender Jake O’Brien started at centre-back for the second match in a row for Everton and played the full 90 minutes, while Mark Travers was not called upon with England number one Jordan Pickford starting in goal.

Jack Grealish was left out entirely against Newcastle
Earlier, Grealish was left out of the Toffees’ matchday squad due to a breach of club discipline.
It is understood that the breach relates to an unauthorised absence from training.
The 31-year-old also missed Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal, but that was put down to illness.
Grealish, who is on a second consecutive season-long loan from Manchester City, had started Everton’s previous three Premier League matches against Ipswich, Hull and Chelsea, and has made a total of six appearances for the Toffees this term.
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