Fleetwood Town will face Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after the Premier League side progressed on Tuesday night. Sean Dyche's team defeated Newcastle United 3-1 at Goodison Park to set up a trip to the League Two club in December.
James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry scored the goals for Everton, with Dan Burn netting a late consolation for the visitors. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made several important saves and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall provided an assist in a dominant performance. The match was played in front of almost 8,000 travelling Newcastle supporters, with Everton-supporting Prime Minister Andy Burnham also in attendance.
Grealish omitted
The victory was overshadowed by the absence of Jack Grealish. The 31-year-old forward was dropped from the squad for an internal breach of club discipline, having missed a training session without permission on Monday. Everton manager Matthias Jaissle addressed the situation after the match. "But it was the absent Grealish who dominated the buildup after Everton announced he had been dropped for disciplinary reasons," Jaissle said. The manager confirmed the player will be available for the next Premier League fixtures after serving his internal sanction.
Cup draw context
The quarter-final draw pits Fleetwood, currently 18th in the League Two standings, against top-flight opposition. The tie is scheduled for the week beginning December 14. Other last-eight matches see Manchester City face third-tier Bradford City, Crystal Palace host Sunderland, and Bournemouth travel to Liverpool. Everton have never won the competition, now known as the Carabao Cup, adding extra incentive for their visit to the Fylde coast. The Toffees last reached the final in 1984, losing to Liverpool after a replay.
Fleetwood's form
Fleetwood Town's recent results show a mixed bag. Their last outing was a 1-1 draw with Premier League champions Arsenal on October 27, a result that followed a 2-1 defeat at Exeter City. The team's form over the last five matches reads one win, two draws and two defeats. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 17 in the league this season, leaving them 14 points behind leaders Salford City. Manager Scott Brown described the draw as a "fantastic occasion" for the club and its supporters. The cup quarter-final against Everton represents a significant challenge for a side finding consistency in the fourth tier, with the club aiming to improve its league position ahead of the tie.
Read the full report at The Guardian Football
