Everton’s recent cup win over Newcastle at Hill Dickinson Stadium highlighted a surprising shift in the club’s approach: a growing reliance on players 24 and younger. The victory, a 2‑1 triumph in the EFL Cup fourth round, came after the club’s star midfielder Jack Grealish was dropped for an unauthorised training absence, a decision that could have rattled the squad but instead opened the door for a new generation of talent.
The match saw 24‑year‑old Hayden Hackney, who joined from Middlesbrough for £16.5 million, make a decisive impact. He provided the assist for James Garner’s opener and finished the game with a close‑range volley to secure the win. Although Hackney had only started two league games before Thursday’s cup match, his performance—his second career start in which he both scored and assisted—demonstrated the confidence the club has placed in Championship‑acquired players. Manager David Moyes praised the young midfielder, noting that while some aspects of his game still needed refinement, his attacking contribution and ability to carry the ball were valuable assets for the team.
The cup win also underscored the depth of Everton’s youth stock. Since Moyes returned in January 2025, seven of the ten players signed on permanent deals are 24 or younger, including France U21 international Thierno Barry. Barry, the club’s only specialist centre‑forward, has played every match this season, amassing 918 minutes and scoring seven goals—only one short of his tally from the previous campaign despite fewer appearances. He has been involved in 62.5 % of Everton’s 24 big chances, a testament to his growing influence in attack.
The average age of Everton’s starting XI has dropped to 26 years and 216 days, an almost 18‑month decline from last season. The departure of veteran Idrissa Gueye has further opened opportunities for younger players. In the current campaign, 21‑year‑olds have logged 1,206 minutes, surpassing the 1,088 minutes recorded by the same age group last season. Harrison Armstrong, 19, has started every Premier League match after a loan spell at Preston, while 20‑year‑olds Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George have also become regulars, the latter scoring his first goal against Manchester United earlier this year.
Defender James Tarkowski remains a standout performer, but the club’s reliance on younger talent is evident across all positions. Even with Grealish’s absence, the squad’s depth allowed Everton to secure the cup victory, suggesting that the young players’ contributions could translate into Premier League success as well. As the team heads into its second match against Newcastle in less than a week, the question remains whether the emerging youngsters will maintain their momentum and continue to shape Everton’s fortunes in the coming season.