Everton faced Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Thursday night, a match that could open a new chapter for the Toffees and revive the hopes of a trophy‑hungry club that has not lifted silverware since 1995. The 7.45 pm GMT fixture was a high‑stakes encounter, with the winner advancing to a quarter‑final against Fleetwood Town, scheduled for the week beginning 14 December.
Both sides entered the game with recent league form that hinted at a competitive showdown. Everton had been knocked out 2‑0 by Arsenal in the previous round, prompting a reshuffle of the starting XI. Managers made two changes, bringing in Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling to replace Brennan Johnson and Harrison Armstrong, who were dropped to the bench. Jarrad Branthwaite was absent due to concussion protocols, while Jack Grealish was omitted from the squad after a breach of club discipline, reportedly linked to an unauthorized absence from training. Everton’s lineup also featured Pickford in goal, with a defence of Rohl, Tarkowski, O’Brien and Mykolenko, and an attack anchored by George and Barry.
Newcastle, on the other hand, had secured a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace in their previous match and made a single alteration to their starting line‑up. Jacob Ramsey moved into the midfield to replace Joelinton, who was named as a substitute. The Magpies’ squad included goalkeeper Hornicek, defenders Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall and Gonzalez, with midfielders Ramsey, Murphy, Willock, Barnes and Osula. The team was managed by a squad of substitutes including Pope, Botman, Joelinton, Bamba, Wissa, Thiaw, Steur, Toure and Elanga.
The match itself was played without VAR, and the rules stipulated that if the score remained level after 90 minutes plus stoppages, the game would go straight to penalties without extra time. Referee Farai Hallam oversaw the contest. While the article did not detail the final score, it highlighted the significance of the tie: a victory would place Everton or Newcastle into the quarter‑finals, where they would face Fleetwood Town. The outcome could mark Everton’s first trophy in over three decades or give Newcastle a second League Cup win in three years, ending a 56‑year drought.
Looking ahead, the winner will travel to Fleetwood Town for the quarter‑finals, which will be played the week commencing 14 December. The result of this match will therefore determine the next stage of the competition and could set the tone for the clubs’ remaining cup campaigns.