Everton put in a convincing performance to knock 2024/25 winners Newcastle out of the Carabao Cup.
The Toffees welcomed The Magpies to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, knowing a tricky tie with Fleetwood Town awaited the winner in the Quarter-Finals.
With Prime Minister Andy Burnham once again in attendance, the opening exchanges saw both sides show promise but fail to create anything clear-cut in front of goal.
The deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark by Everton's James Garner, curling a beautiful strike into the bottom corner to the delight of the home fans.
The hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, Hayden Hackney finishing smartly from Thierno Barry's cross to notch his first Everton goal since arriving from Middlesbrough in the summer.
After the break, Barry would get his own name on the scoresheet, netting his fourth Carabao Cup goal of the campaign with a composed touch and finish that put the tie out of sight.
Newcastle did manage a late consolation via the head of Dan Burn, but it proved to be too little too late as Everton came away with the win in a feisty finish.
The Toffees will now travel to Fleetwood in the Quarter-Final, hoping to avoid a similar upset that saw Premier League Champions Arsenal crash out on Tuesday night.