Everton Ease Past Newcastle to Set Up Fleetwood Trip in League Cup Quarter-Finals

Everton booked a League Cup quarter-final trip to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town with a controlled 3-1 win over Newcastle United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night. First-half goals from James Garner and Hayden Hackney put the hosts in command before Thierno Barry added a third after the break, and Dan Burn's late strike for the visitors was no more than a consolation. The Merseyside club eased through despite the absence of midfielder Jack Grealish, who was left out of the squad following an internal breach of club discipline. The result continues a memorable cup run for Fleetwood, who stunned champions Arsenal earlier in the week, and sets up a classic cup tie against Premier League opposition. Elsewhere in the draw, Crystal Palace will welcome Sunderland, Bournemouth travel to Liverpool, and defending champions Manchester City take on third-tier Bradford City. The quarter-finals are scheduled for the week beginning December 14, and Everton will fancy their chances of going further after a performance built on early intensity and ruthless finishing.