Everton manager David Moyes dropped Jack Grealish from his squad for a breach of club discipline and watched his team respond with a commanding 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United. The win at Goodison Park on Thursday night booked a quarter-final tie against League Two side Fleetwood Town in December.
Grealish, 31, was suspended after missing an unauthorised training session in the build-up to the fourth-round tie. The England international, on a season-long loan from Manchester City, had started the previous three Premier League games but was left out entirely by Moyes. "He, and Everton, had every reason to feel let down by the team’s highest profile, highest paid player," the manager said.
With their high-profile loanee absent, Everton's squad depth came to the fore. James Garner opened the scoring with his first goal of the season in the 34th minute, finishing from a Hayden Hackney cross. Hackney then turned scorer just before half-time, volleying home from close range after a Thierno Barry assist. Barry completed the scoring for the hosts in the 69th minute, converting Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's delivery. Dan Burn headed a late consolation for Newcastle from a Joe Willock cross.
Jordan Pickford made several important saves, including denying a Harvey Barnes header early on, to preserve the lead. The victory was a positive response after a 2-0 league defeat at Arsenal last Saturday, a match Grealish also missed due to illness.
The disciplinary action highlights a subdued start to Grealish's second spell at the club. Since rejoining Everton last summer, he has made six appearances without registering a goal or an assist. His last outing was a start against Chelsea two weeks ago. The forward has been working his way back to full fitness after breaking his foot in January, which required surgery and sidelined him for months.
Grealish is understood to be facing a fine for the misdemeanour. His contract with parent club Manchester City expires at the end of this season, adding further uncertainty to his long-term future.
The cup progress provides a welcome boost as Everton sit 11th in the Premier League with 10 points from eight games. Their recent league form reads two wins, one draw and two losses from the last five. Top scorer Thierno Barry, who now has three goals this season, was among the scorers against Newcastle, underlining his growing importance.
Defender Jarrad Branthwaite remained unavailable for a second successive game due to concussion protocols. The immediate focus now shifts back to the league, with a quick rematch against Newcastle at St James' Park coming up this weekend. Everton will travel to face the Magpies again on Monday, 2 November, looking to improve their league position of 11th, which currently leaves them 11 points behind leaders Manchester City.
This story first appeared at The Guardian Football
