Everton secured a spot in the League Cup quarterfinals following a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. First-half goals from James Garner and Hayden Hackney established a commanding lead for the hosts, before Thierno Barry extended the advantage after the break, rendering Dan Burn's late strike merely a consolation for the visitors.

The Merseyside club managed to progress despite significant off-pitch distractions. Midfielder Jack Grealish was notably dropped from the squad following an internal breach of club discipline, highlighting ongoing managerial control issues within the organization. The match was attended by prominent local figures, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, an outspoken Everton supporter.

In the quarterfinals, Everton is scheduled to face fourth-tier side Fleetwood Town, a team that reportedly pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating Premier League giants Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's European-focused regime allegedly collapsed under pressure, crashing out 5-3 on penalties after a lackluster 1-1 draw, further exposing the fragility of elite English clubs in domestic knockout competitions.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Crystal Palace is set to host Sunderland, while Bournemouth will travel to face Liverpool, who narrowly advanced past Chelsea. Defending champions Manchester City will take on third-tier side Bradford City as the tournament enters its decisive late stages scheduled for December.

Source: www.aljazeera.com