Everton

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Everton through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, a trophy they have never won and against the odds - it felt a real moment.

Before the game it was announced Jack Grealish wasn't to feature because of "a breach of club discipline" after the midfielder missed training. With Jarrad Branthwaite also out with concussion it took David Moyes' tiny squad down to just 16 outfield players, but it was a performance of heart and fight.

James Garner's season so far has suffered from his hernia surgery in the summer but he looked back to the form that saw England manager Thomas Tuchel call him "our mini Valverde" when he opened the scoring. Thierno Barry continued to prove his critics wrong with the third goal of the night, his seventh of the season.

However, it was Hayden Hackney who shone most under the floodlights. The former Middlesbrough man was an unused sub in the defeat to Chelsea and played just 16 minutes in the loss at Arsenal. It left fans scratching their heads what the Championship player of the season had to do to impress Moyes. When he was handed his chance last night he more than gave his manager food for thought with an assist and a goal. Now it will be interesting to see if he can force his way into the starting 11 for the Premier League game against Newcastle on Monday.

While the headlines around Grealish will continue, the Toffees know they have the tie of the quarter-finals of the League Cup against League Two Fleetwood. Moyes is desperate to be the man to bring a first trophy back to Everton in 31 years and despite all the chaos off the pitch it seems his small band of players are up for that fight.

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Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes did not answer when asked if Jack Grealish could return to the squad for Monday's game after being left out of Thursday's Carabao Cup win over Newcastle at Hill Dickinson Stadium for a "breach of club discipline".

• He added Jarrad Branthwaite "should have recovered" from the concussion he suffered against Chelsea after following the required protocols and that he thinks all the players involved on Thursday came through without any fresh injuries.

• On facing the Magpies for the second time in five days: "It's a different ball game going to St James' Park on a Monday evening. They've got a great crowd up there so you always know you're up against it. But, we go up there with confidence. We have played Newcastle a couple of times this year and done really well."

• Moyes praised forward Thierno Barry, who scored on Thursday: "Really pleased for him. He's got some limitations but he's trying hard to get better. We're very short in that area so I'm pleased for him."

• On facing Fleetwood Town for a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals: "Anybody who beats Arsenal is doing a good job. They are quite local to us so it'll be a good night and a good sell-out."

• James Garner also scored on Thursday and Moyes believes his form is improving: "I use his injury in the close season where he had a hernia and came back really quick. I think it's taken him a bit of time to build back up. He's rushed back because he's so important for us. The goal will give him a bit of confidence. He's been away with England too. We're pleased with Jimmy but I just think he's still got a bit to go to reach the levels he was at last season."

• On Hayden Hackney, who opened the scoring against Newcastle, but has seen Premier League opportunities limited so far: "Bits of his games were very good, his goal was very good. Some bits I didn't think were where they could be. I see this as a bit of bringing in Championship players and getting them used to the Premier League. A couple of times he got caught on the ball. There were bits of his performance I really enjoyed. It's given me a bit more choice and a few more decisions to make."

• Moyes emphasised that he is not looking for sympathy after a difficult few months: "We're not accepting any excuses for anything; ownership, transfer window. I don't want the players to look for any excuses and they are doing a great job."

Hit play above to hear more from Moyes or listen on BBC Sounds here

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We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Carabao Cup tie between Everton and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Anton: Well, that was a very pleasing and, to be honest, somewhat unexpected result. For once we were extremely clinical, us Evertonians had forgotten the definition of that word. Several very good individual performances but shout-outs to Hackney and Garner who did excellently in the midfield. Barry's goal was also very well taken; one touch to control, no dithering, into the net.

Jeff: A poor start of the match, but who cares?! We are in the quarter-finals! Moyes better not underestimate Fleetwood Town, like Arteta did. Silverware is at stake. Finally.

Mike: Great win, some super goals, but Newcastle were the better footballing team. But as the saying states, "all that matters is you win" and we did get over the line.

Paul: A good gutsy performance without being a classic game. Exactly what we needed after the last two weeks. Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling showed exactly why they need to be more involved every game. The way Hayden took his goal is what we have been missing. I wish Jordan Pickford would calm down! Hoping for a repeat next Monday!

Newcastle fans

Ray: Again a very disappointing effort from Newcastle. We are missing a midfielder to drive on the young team.

Mark: Can't defend. Can't attack. Look devoid of ideas and confidence. Sold all of our best players. Brought in a manager with zero Premier League experience. What could possibly go wrong?

Michael: Another lacklustre performance from a side under this manager. He has to go before relegation is a threat. Premier League is far above his capabilities. Players have to take some blame, many in this team not good enough. The hierarchy have invested in too many young players, as experience is required. We will be in serious trouble shortly.

Richard: Are we officially worrying yet, because I am?! We seem to be extremely predictable in tactics and utterly lacking in any sort of quality. These aren't suddenly bad players but they're making the mistakes and putting in the performances which are that of a team totally lacking confidence. A long season ahead of us I reckon.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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Jack Grealish is in the final year of his reported £300,000-a-week contract at Manchester City.

He was discarded by Pep Guardiola in the Spaniard's final season in charge, being allowed to join Everton on a season-long loan deal.

There were moments where he looked to be getting back to his best while playing for the Toffees before his foot injury.

Such was his form at the beginning of last season, he claimed the Premier League's player-of-the-month award for August and quickly became a fans' favourite.

"He is a player who has fallen in love with the right shade of blue, but ultimately he is a City player and we have to respect that," Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear told BBC Radio Merseyside this August.

"What I do know is that the supporters and the team embraced him and treated him as one of our own. That gave us a good platform to have a longer term conversation with him.

"The most important thing is that he is back fit after he had a serious injury, so I was delighted to see him get some minutes in the Community Shield."

Grealish impressed to such an extent last season that Everton boss David Moyes openly spoke about how much the player was "loved" at the club.

The mood, however, appears to have changed.

At a time when Moyes is relying on all his senior players to step up after a disappointing summer transfer window left his squad thin, there are now questions about whether Grealish's breach of club discipline will be the beginning of the end of his career at Everton.

Grealish missed last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal with illness and, according to reports, external, missed training on Monday without permission.

He returned to training at Everton's Finch Farm complex but is expected to be fined for his unauthorised absence.

Grealish has 39 England caps and has scored four goals for his country.

He has not played for the Three Lions since scoring in a 3-1 Nations League win against Finland in Helsinki in 2024.

Everton, who have not won a major trophy since 1995, did not need him as they brushed past Newcastle to reach the last eight of the EFL Cup.

While Moyes refused to go into details about the breach of discipline, he did praise the players on duty on Thursday for not allowing Grealish's absence to distract them in what was an important cup tie.

"The one thing about Everton is that it has got good values behind it," added Moyes.

"All the players stand up to the values on pitch and off the pitch.

"The players did a brilliant job tonight.

"We are limited in some areas but we are doing our best to keep challenging."

Read the full story here.

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Everton boss David Moyes has said his players did a "brilliant job" in beating Newcastle to progress in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, and that making the quarter-finals "sounds good".

The Toffees produced an impressive display to dispatch the 2025 winners 3-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton, who have never won the League Cup and not won a major trophy since an FA Cup triumph in 1995, will now visit Fleetwood Town, who are 18th in League Two, for a place in the last four.

"We're pleased that we've been able to get to this stage of the competition. If we can keep it going great, obviously," said Moyes.

The noise before and after the game has been dominated by the news Jack Grealish was left out over a "breack of club discipline". Moyes refused to give further details, saying only: "It was a club decision. I support the decision. It's something I don't really want to speak too much about."

However, he praised his players for not letting Grealish's exclusion be a distraction and instead producing one of the best performances of the season so far.

"The one thing about Everton and what they've got is really good values behind them," Moyes added.

"All the players stand up to the values and accept the values we put out there [about] what we want from them on the pitch and off the pitch.

"From that point of view, the players have done a brilliant job tonight."

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Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney on scoring his first goal for the Toffees in the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United: "I'm delighted with that. Special night. I think the team and the fans knew it was a big game.

"It's always difficult. I think when you're 2-0 up, you know they're going to come at you and throw everything at you.

"We defended really well and made some important blocks.

"I've had a bit of time on the bench. The lads have been playing really well, so I can't complain. I kept working hard and then hopefully I took my chance.

"It was a big night for us against Premier League opposition. A night game is always a good atmosphere. The fans were unbelievable and really helped us.

"It was a great feeling to get my first goal for this amazing club, and hopefully many more."

Listen to more from Hackney below or on BBC Sounds here

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Former Everton and England defender Izzy Christiansen spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after the Toffees' Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle: "Everton were absolutely fantastic. You could just tell as soon as the game kicked off there was a huge zip to the way that they played. They had that quality that shone through.

"We said at the start of the game that progression for both teams is so key for both of their fanbases. This is exactly what Everton fans needed - something to cling on to.

"With the greatest respect for Fleetwood Town, Everton have a tasty looking cup tie in the quarter-finals. All of these fans will be believe they can push on, and even dream of making Wembley."

Hear from David Moyes after Everton's victory against Newcastle in the EFL Cup.

Press play below or listen on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Friday for a selection of your replies.

Everton are monitoring Real Sociedad and Iceland striker Orri Oskarsson, 22, as they look to strengthen their attacking options. (Teamtalk), external

The Toffees are also considering a move for 28-year-old Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford. (Football Insider), external

Chelsea remain keen admirers of Everton's 24-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but face competition from Manchester United. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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The draw for the EFL Cup quarter-finals has been completed:

Fleetwood Town v Everton or Newcastle

Manchester City v Bradford City

Crystal Palace v Sunderland

Liverpool v Bournemouth

The matches will be played in the week commencing 14 December.

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"Why don't we stick James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the bench and give Hayden Hackney a start?"

That's the question Everton fan Mark Staniford posed on BBC Radio Merseyside as Everton prepare to host Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup last 16, having not reached the competition's quarter-final stage since 2023-24.

"The biggest frustration for a lot of people is that we have Hayden Hackney - the Championship player of the season - just sat there," Staniford highlighted on BBC Radio Merseyside. "I can't help but think there is a place for him in our line-up.

"James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who are two of our better players, just haven't been on it the past month - so why don't we stick them on the bench and give him a start?

"Those two lads should be being told to win their places back, but it seems David Moyes has his favourites and his favourites will play whatever.

"However, if things aren't working then you've got to change it up and do something different, either with the formation or the personnel."

Staniford added: "I'm starting to think we should maybe give Tyler Dibling a bit of a run out at right midfield as well after getting the last 20 minutes against Arsenal on Sunday.

"Maybe we should also use Brennan Johnson as the striking back-up, because he just doesn't look like a winger out there. He doesn't get involved and he hasn't got the passion to receive the ball or beat his man. I think we've been sold a bit of a pup there, to be honest.

"It will be interesting to see what the starting XI looks like on Thursday night. I will be looking out to see if he does start Dibling, if Tyrique George gets a run out if Jack Grealish isn't fit, and if he does at least try to mix things up a bit."

Listen to the full conversation below or listen on BBC Sounds

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Former Everton striker and caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson believes the club have left David Moyes short of resources and he has "done very well" despite this.

The Toffees were unable to add the players many fans craved during the summer transfer window and Moyes has been left with a squad short on numbers.

Ferguson believes the new owners will need to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to supplement the squad with what they need.

Despite this, Moyes has stabilised the club and they sit 11th in the Premier League after eight games - with only two defeats.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, the former Scotland international said: "He's done well, the manager, with not a lot of resources. You need resources. You need finance. It doesn't matter how good a manager you are, it's down to the players on the pitch and I think David Moyes has done very well with what he's got left there.

"He's been left short and he's making do like a lot of us have got to do. The new owners will be coming in. The old owners have taken it as far as they think they can take it and they'll sell the club.

"I think they're looking for £800m [to buy Everton] and then someone else comes in and has to spend around £400m on the squad.

"He's doing well with what he's got there. He just needs a bit of support."

Listen to the full interview below or on BBC Sounds.

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We asked you whether it's time for Tyler Dibling to be given a chance in place of Brennan Johnson.

Here are some of your comments:

Stephen: Moyes needs to utilise the squad more. For me, Dibling has to start ahead of Johnson. We need to be more positive and attack-minded and make changes earlier during games when plan A isn't working. Give Charly Alcaraz a chance as a 10 and bring Johnson on for Thierno Barry with 30 minutes left. Let's try something different!

Anton: It is absolutely crazy that with such a small squad, certain players aren't getting more game-time. Dibling is absolutely a case in point. How are these players supposed to stay match-sharp for when inevitable injuries/suspensions happen? Every single Evertonian wants Johnson to do well but he's had his opportunities to show what he can do and has yet to produce. Therefore, by rights, it's Dibling's turn. He literally couldn't produce anything less than what Johnson is producing, so what's the problem? Get him in, allow him to show what he's about and gain some much-needed confidence.

Michael: As usual, we are now going backwards. Tried and trusted does not work. Get Hayden Hackney and Dibling on and give Alcaraz a run too. It's just same old, same old.

Greg: Johnson has given us absolutely nothing since he came to the club and I'm even wishing we had stuck with Dwight McNeil. At least he could put a good ball in. Dithering Dave [Moyes] just sticks with older players. Tyrique George, Dibling and Hackney must be wondering what they have to do to get a chance. Time for Moyes and his outdated ways to go and get Lee Carsley in.

David: Moyes is scared of using the young players such as Dibling and Hackney. But why pay the money and not use them? Johnson and Barry have been rubbish. Put Michael Keane up front, he knows where the goal is and cannot be worse than Barry!

Mark: After recent dull performances, most Evertonians would say to David Moyes - "freshen things up!" Start with Dibling for Johnson, who has offered very little presence up front. Give Hackney and Alcaraz some starts too in midfield too. George is our most direct and attacking player, with his pace and shooting ability, so use him ahead of Jack Grealish, especially when we are at home. It's time to use our small squad differently and give more match minutes to the under-utilised players. We all admire Moyes and appreciate what he has done over two stints at Everton, but he has to be more flexible and use all of our squad, especially if his preferred XI is not scoring or winning matches.

Listen to Everton fan Mark Staniford's opinion below, or listen here on BBC Sounds.