Our Everton writers provide their starting line-ups for the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Hayden Hackney of Everton during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Everton at Emirates Stadium on October 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Hayden Hackney could be pushing for a recall to the Everton starting line-up after a positive display off the bench against Arsenal (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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Everton face a huge Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at home to Newcastle United tonight (7.45pm kick-off). It is the first of two consecutive games between the clubs.
The Blues then head to St James' Park on Monday for a Premier League encounter. But if you asked Evertonians which match they'd prefer to win, if they were forced to pick one, then it's fair to say they'd say this evening's.
You have to go back to 1995 for the last time Everton won a trophy and their long-suffering supporters are desperate for that barren run to be banished once and for all.
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But, having ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by beating Liverpool in the 2025 final, Newcastle, backed by a huge travelling support, will be no pushovers.
What, then, is Blues boss David Moyes to do in terms of his starting line-up? Chris Beesley and Connor O'Neill have their say...
Having only just returned from the injury that kept him out of Ukraine’s last three matches and Everton’s trip to Hull City, seeing Vitalii Mykolenko – his only left-back – forced off at Arsenal will have been a crushing blow to David Moyes.
If Mykolenko is ruled out against Newcastle United, I certainly don’t want to see Jarrad Branthwaite reprise the uncomfortable viewing that was his foray in the position against the Tigers and given the concussion protocols that ruled him out at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the Carabao Cup clash with the Magpies might come too soon for him anyway.
James Garner, who finished the match against the Gunners at left-back has always proven to be an able deputy when he has taken on the role. And when you consider that the Blues’ reigning Player of the Season has endured a difficult start this term when it comes to hitting his previous heights after rushing himself back from a hernia operation, he’s the one I’d chose to be the square peg in a round hole.
That of course frees up a space in the engine room where I’d give former Middlesbrough ace and north easterner Hayden Hackney an opportunity to try and pull the strings against the Geordies. Hopefully the Championship Player of the Season can provide a different dimension for Moyes’ men in the middle of the park.
Also, given some rather anonymous displays in recent weeks, I’d take Brennan Johnson out on the right wing and replace him with Tyler Dibling who impressed when given his chance against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous round while we wait to see whether Jack Grealish has recovered from his sickness to potentially return on the opposite flank.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Garner; Armstrong, Hackney; Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.
Everton boss David Moyes
Connor O'Neill
Team news tonight really does depend on the fitness of Jarrad Branthwaite and Jack Grealish. But, make no mistake, David Moyes must pick the strongest possible team available to him, now is not the time for changes.
With that in mind, Jordan Pickford will start in goal, with Jake O’Brien, Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko making up the back four
In midfield, Jack Grealish should come back in with Tyrique George getting the nod on the right.
In the middle, James Garner should be rested, with Hayden Hackney coming in alongside Harrison Armstrong and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
And while he has struggled up top in recent weeks, David Moyes should persist with Thierno Barry, in the hope he plays himself back into form.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Hackney, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.