Analysis from Connor O'Neill as Everton booked their place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup
James Garner of Everton celebrates (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
James Garner of Everton celebrates (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View Image
You don't have to go far to hear an Everton supporter talking about Hayden Hackney - and you could even guarantee they'd ask the same question.
“When is Hackney going to be given a go?” Has been the question on the lips of supporters for large parts of this season.
A summer arrival from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £16.5million rising to £25million, the expectation was that the midfielder would become a starter for the Blues.
But that hasn't been the case, with Hackney starting just once in the Premier League so far this season.
And that start came on the opening day against Crystal Palace, when he was arguably Everton’s best player.
Since then he has largely, in the league, been handed a watching brief. But playing like a man trying to prove himself, he certainly made the right impression here.
It was by no means a perfect performance from Hackney, as he was guilty of giving away at least five silly free-kicks.
But a number of those came as a result of him trying too hard. However the roles he played in his side's opening goal and the one he scored just 11 minutes later, showed exactly why David Moyes was so keen to sign him this summer.
When he was eventually booked just after the hour mark it felt like a matter of time before David Moyes would replace him with Harrison Armstrong.
And that is exactly what happened with 65 minutes on the clock, Moyes, understandably, could not afford to take the risk of his side going down to 10 men.
But a goal and an assist here should have firmly put him in his manager's thoughts for Monday night - and stopped fans from asking when he is going to get his chance.
Make sure you never miss the latest Everton news and opinion by makingLiverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.
James Garner confidence booster
It has been a long time coming for James Garner.
But with 34 minutes on the clock, he finally opened his account for the season with a tidy finish into the far corner of the net.
It was exactly what he needed and his side needed.
Everton had started brightly here, but Newcastle had very much come back into the game, and a couple of great blocks prevented them from opening the scoring.
But just like that, Garner had fired the Blues ahead and they had lift off. And when Hackney made it two just before the break, they had one foot in the quarter-finals at half-time.
The goal for Garner, though, was just as important. He would be the first to admit himself that he has not got to the levels he was at for large parts of last season.
But that isn’t his fault. He of course underwent surgery on his groin during the summer and it was expected that he might miss the start of the season.
However, he returned in time to come off the bench against Crystal Palace on the opening day and has been an ever-present since.
But speaking last month, he admitted: "I'm not 100 per cent but I'll get there. I want to play, regardless. [The injury] was something I didn't know I had until I came back in for pre-season.
“The operation was needed and I'm glad it got done, even though it meant me missing pretty much all of our pre-season.”
Garner, though, slowly appears to be getting back to the levels he was at last season, and there is no denying that the goal here gave him a huge boost.
Within minutes of the ball hitting the back of the net, he was getting team-mate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall out of trouble. Second-half he was everywhere. Doing all he could to ensure his side secured their place in the last eight.
And by the time the Blues head to Fleetwood Town in December, you would like to hope Garner is back to the level he was last season when he received a deserved England call-up.
Crucial James Tarkowski moment
It is a sight that Everton supporters have become used to. James Tarkowski in a tussle with an opposition player.
When Dan Burn headed in a consolation goal in the closing stages, the Everton centre-back found himself in a tussle in the net with Joelinton.
It was soon all over, but Tarkowski still received a booking for his role in the incident, which amounted to nothing more than handbags.
However, the booking should not detract from what was another fine performance from the centre-back.
On Saturday, it felt like there were times when Tarkowski was holding Everton together at the back as they came under huge pressure from Arsenal.
And while the Blues certainly had more possession and opportunities against Newcastle here, the centre-back still produced a goal-saving block.
With just under 30 minutes on the clock, William Osula broke clear and for a second, it looked like he could give the Magpies the lead.
But Tarkowski managed to get back and produce an outstanding block to deny the forward and keep the game goalless.
It is small moments like this that win games for sides, and that is exactly what happened here.
Questions were being asked of the Blues skipper at the start of this season - with some supporters hoping to see Jake O’Brien partner Jarrad Branthwaite.
But there is no denying that Tarkowski has quickly become one of Everton’s most important players in recent weeks, which explains why David Moyes continues to trust him.
Prime Minister's wish granted
Budget week is always a busy one for the Prime Minister - but Andy Burnham still found time to watch the Blues in action here.
He arrived just as it emerged that Jack Grealish was set to miss the game due to a breach of club discipline - another headache for him to contend with.
But by the time the full-whistle blew, he looked as delighted as every other Everton supporter inside the club’s waterfront home.
And he would have been even more delighted that David Moyes listened to his message about wanting the Blues to enjoy a good cup run this season.
Speaking to the ECHO earlier this month, the PM urged: "We've got the best stadium in the country, I believe we've got the best manager in the country in David Moyes and we've got a strong squad, although light in a few areas - we were unbeaten until last weekend. We've got a difficult game this weekend.
"I keep saying to David, I hope he is listening to this, I know he does read the ECHO. I keep saying let's have a cup run.
"It is my view that the League Cup can be the catalyst sometimes for clubs in terms of getting that positivity and that momentum going. So no pressure David I'm hoping that is what we can do."
And the Blues are now well on their way to doing that with a quarter-final tie against League Two Fleetwood Town to come.
No one, especially Everton supporters, will be counting their chickens, as Shrewsbury Town, Oldham Athletic and Reading spring to mind, but there is a very good chance that the Blues could still be in the League Cup post-Christmas - and that is already an improvement from last season.
Make sure you never miss the latest Everton news and opinion by makingLiverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.
Get YOUR Everton FC Newsletter