Cup draw hands Everton all the motivation they need to best Newcastle

The unusual Thursday-night scheduling of Everton’s Carabao Cup Fourth Round tie against Newcastle United has come with one benefit and that is the knowledge of whom the victor will face in the last eight.

Last night’s draw handed either the Blues or the Magpies an away date at Fleetwood Town, conquerors of Arsenal on Tuesday night. For David Moyes and his players, knowing that winning would mean a League Two outfit is what stands between them and a first cup semi-final for Everton FC in 10 years should be all the incentive they need to go all out at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Fisherman may have taken arguably the biggest scalp in the history of the League Cup by knocking the Champions out but they are, nonetheless, struggling near the bottom of the fourth tier. And this is a club that Everton have faced at Highbury and beaten twice in the last six years; as such, they shouldn’t hold fear for any top-flight side that shows up and does its job.

First, though, Moyes has to see his charges past Newcastle who have made as chequered a start to the 2026/27 season as the Toffees, though they did leapfrog their hosts this evening by beating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday while Everton lost meekly at the Emirates Stadium.

Perhaps the game that the Blues should take the most heart from (while also heeding the lesson given their opponents next Friday) is the pasting that Matthias Jaissle’s team took at newly-promoted Coventry City.

The Magpies’ defensive shortcomings were exposed as they lost 4–1 at CBS Arena and if Moyes can prey on those, his own goal-shy side could find some joy where there was none for them against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Traditionally, Evertonians brace themselves for the team news before kick-off ahead of League Cup ties hoping the boss du jour hasn’t made too many changes but on this occasion, many fans are crying out for at least two — although Moyes will likely be forced into at least one given that Vitalii Mykolenko is a significant doubt after being forced off with an apparent calf problem at the weekend.

Jack Grealish will be in contention if he has recovered from the illness that kept him out against the Gunners while Jarrad Branthwaite could be clear of concussion protocols.

meanwhile, one of James, Garner or Ainsley Maitland-Niles will likely be pressed into service at left back, assuming Mykolenko  is out.

However, it is Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling who most supporters want to see start this one to allow them to press their claims for more Premier League minutes. Both players have impressed when called upon so far this season but remain outside the manager’s thinking when it comes to the starting XI, at least in the Premier League.

With Everton having to play three games in eight days before the international break, the feeling is that this would be the ideal time to rotate the squad somewhat and make use of some of the more enterprising players in the squad, particularly after two desperately poor attacking displays in the last two outings.

The likes of Charly Alcaraz, who scored the winner against Wolves in the last round, will also be champing at the bit to be involved more than 10 or so minutes he has been given at various times so far this season.

Everton vs Newcastle United
EFL Cup Fourth Round

Hill Dickinson Stadium
7:45pm, Thursday 29 October