LIVERPOOL: Everton swept into the League Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Newcastle on Thursday, booking a clash against giant-killers Fleetwood.
David Moyes’s side took the lead through James Garner’s first-half goal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Hayden Hackney doubled the advantage with his first goal since his close-season move from Middlesbrough.
Everton striker Thierno Barry netted in the second half, while Dan Burn’s reply for Newcastle came too late to prevent the Toffees from ending their three-match winless run.
Chasing their first League Cup final appearance in 43 years, Everton will travel to fourth-tier Fleetwood in the week commencing Dec 14.
The ‘Cod Army’ caused one of the biggest shocks in League Cup history on Tuesday when they beat Premier League champions Arsenal in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at Highbury.
Everton have never won the League Cup, having lost both their final appearances in 1977 and 1984.
Their fans do not need reminding that it has been 31 years since the club’s last trophy triumph, when they won the FA Cup.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a noted Everton fan, was among those cheering from the stands as Moyes’s men made light work of their last-16 tie.
Newcastle will have the chance for revenge when the sides meet again in the Premier League at St James’ Park on Monday.
Everton dropped a pre-match bombshell, announcing that Jack Grealish was unavailable for selection “due to a breach of club discipline”.
Grealish, who has faced criticism over his off-field behaviour, was reported to have taken an unauthorised absence from training.
However, the on-loan Manchester City winger’s absence did not affect his team-mates.
Everton hit their stride
Newcastle tested Jordan Pickford early on when Joe Willock’s low drive was palmed away by the Everton goalkeeper, who repelled Fabian Schar’s long-range effort moments later.
Garner settled Everton’s nerves with a clinical opener in the 34th minute.
Hackney teed up Garner just inside the area, and the midfielder stretched to guide a fine finish into the far corner for his first goal since January.
Everton had hit their stride and Hackney struck on the stroke of half-time.
At the end of a blistering Everton counter-attack, Barry hooked a cross into the six-yard box and Hackney timed his run perfectly to volley past Lukas Hornicek.
Frustrated Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle sent on Joelinton, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa at the interval.
Wissa had an immediate chance after sprinting on to Willock’s pass, but misjudged the high bounce and headed straight at Pickford.
It proved costly as Barry put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall provided the cross and Barry lashed home from close range for his seventh goal of the season.
Burn scored with a header from Willock’s 88th-minute cross, sparking a brawl involving several players.
But Newcastle’s brief show of defiance came too little, too late as Everton moved a step closer to Wembley.
