Hayden Hackney and Jordan Pickford playing for Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Hayden Hackney and Jordan Pickford playing for Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium
The Toffees picked up a 3-1 victory over the Magpies at Hill Dickinson Stadium to advance into the quarter-finals.
The Blues' win means that they will face Fleetwood Town in the next round of the competition, with a trip to Highbury Stadium set for December after the Cods took down Arsenal on Tuesday.
Newcastle piled the pressure on early in L3, forcing Pickford to make several top saves to keep his side in the lead.
James Garner alleviated the pressure for David Moyes' side, curling in the opener for his first goal of the season, while Hackney and Thierno Barry also netted for the Toffees, as Dan Burn grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
But why was Pickford so angry at Hackney, who grabbed a goal and an assist for Everton?
Brad Friedel agrees with Jordan Pickford 'berating' Hayden Hackney
There were plenty of Everton fans clamouring for Moyes to start Hackney in this game, and their cries were justified.
The 24-year-old ran the show going forward for the Blues, creating chances and proving a constant terror to Newcastle's backline.
The former Middlesbrough star had his first big chance in the 20th minute, but couldn't seem to sort his feet out in time as the ball trickled into Lukas Hornicek's grasp.
Hackney then slotted home a close-range effort after getting on the end of Thierno Barry's cross before the whistle went in the first half.
However, while commentating on talkSPORT, Jim Proudfoot explained how Pickford ran up to Hackney, "berating" the midfielder for not closing down a long-range effort from Fabian Schar in the 17th minute.
Brad Friedel replied: "And rightly so, this Newcastle team are a team that doesn't create a lot of chances. That's the fifth chance that they've created now; Pickford's had to save three of them."
For all of Hackney's good work going forward, questions will be asked about his defensive IQ, something that may be holding him back from starting in the Premier League.
Either way, this was a top-class performance that will surely put him in Moyes' thoughts for Everton's next Premier League game against Newcastle at St. James' Park on Monday.
Should Harrison Armstrong be worried after Hackney's display vs Newcastle?
Garner is the most secure out of all of Everton's midfielders after he won the club's Player of the Season award last term.
Though he's had somewhat of a slow start at Hill Dickinson this season, the 25-year-old's goal against Newcastle reminded everyone of his ability.
Hackney's goal will instead pile pressure on Harrison Armstrong, who appears to be his direct competition for a starting spot in the middle of the park.
It goes without saying, but Armstrong's place is under serious threat following Hackney's performance.
However, healthy competition can only be a good thing for Moyes and Everton.