Hackney Scores and Sets Up as Everton Beat Newcastle in the Cup
Hayden Hackney set up one goal and scored another as Everton beat Newcastle in the EFL Cup fourth round at Hill Dickinson Stadium. BBC Sport reported that James Garner opened the scoring from Hackney's pass, and Hackney then finished a close-range volley for Everton's second.
The EFL Cup is a knockout competition, so a single defeat ends a club's run. Everton now move on to the quarter-final, where they will face League Two side Fleetwood. League Two is the fourth tier of English football, so the draw gives the winners a trip against a club two divisions below them.
For Hackney, it was a rare night. He had started Everton's opening game of the season, a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. His only other start since then came in the third round against Wolves, which means the cup win was only his second league-less outing in the team since August. It was also only the second time in his career that he had both scored and assisted in the same match.
Hackney arrived from Middlesbrough in the summer for £16.5m. He was named Championship player of the year last season, the award for the best player in the second tier of English football. Everton have been relying on younger signings. Since David Moyes rejoined the club in January 2025, seven of the 10 players signed on permanent deals are 24 or under.
Not everything around the squad was simple. Jack Grealish was left out of the squad for the Newcastle tie. BBC Sport reported that the decision followed what was understood to be an unauthorised absence from training. Grealish had rejoined Everton from Manchester City on a season-long loan in September, according to Reuters.
Up front, Thierno Barry has carried much of the load. The France Under-21 striker joined from Villarreal in July 2025. He is Everton's only specialist centre-forward, a player whose job is to lead the line and finish chances. He has started every match this season and played 918 minutes.
Barry has scored seven goals so far, one short of his total from last season, although he has played 30 fewer matches. Everton have created 24 big chances this season, which means clear openings to score. Barry has been involved in 15 of them, or 62.5%. That is a high share for one player, and it shows how much of the attack runs through him.
Cup nights like this one can take the pressure off for a while. Everton have a run to make in the competition, and the next opponent is one of the smaller clubs in the draw. Newcastle will need to reset quickly, with their own league fixtures coming up.
