David Moyes’ Everton have delivered the goods in the Carabao Cup, but the price of their 3-1 victory over Newcastle United was a tactical masterclass in how not to play. The Toffees’ first half was a study in inefficiency—40 touches wasted in the opening 45 minutes alone, according to tactical analysis—before a late surge saw them claw their way into the quarter-finals. Yet for all the goals scored, the underlying numbers tell a story of defensive fragility and midfield chaos that could haunt them in the next round.
The foundation of Everton’s struggles lay in their inability to control possession when it mattered. Newcastle’s relentless pressing, led by a resurgent Joe Willick and a composed Jack Butland, forced Everton into turnovers in dangerous areas. The most damning moment came in the 29th minute when a misplaced pass from Nico González led directly to Harvey Barnes’ header, only for Jordan Pigford’s last-ditch clearance to deny Newcastle a second goal. Moyes’ side were so desperate for structure that even their own full-backs, Tyler Dibling and Jordan Pickford, were caught out of position. Dibling’s defensive error in the opening minutes—where he failed to clear a through ball from a Newcastle attacker—was the first of many signs that Everton’s backline was stretched beyond its limits.
Everton’s midfield, traditionally their greatest asset, became their Achilles’ heel. The Toffees’ inability to dictate tempo was exposed when Newcastle’s counterattacks, led by a clinical Nico González, exposed gaps in Everton’s defensive shape. González’s diagonal run into the box for Barnes’ header was a textbook example of how Moyes’ side’s lack of pressing discipline allowed Newcastle to exploit space. Even when Everton did win the ball, their follow-up was often sloppy. The 3-1 scoreline masked a first half where Newcastle’s 29th-minute equalizer should have been a 3-0 lead, had not Pigford’s reflex save altered the course of the game.
The victory was secured by goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney, and Thierno Barry, but the underlying data paints a different picture. Everton’s defensive shape collapsed repeatedly, with Hall and Dibling often caught offside or out of position. The Toffees’ inability to maintain possession in dangerous areas—where Newcastle’s pressing forced them into long balls or turnovers—meant they were constantly playing catch-up. Moyes’ decision to start Dibling, a player not known for his defensive solidity, further exposed Everton’s vulnerabilities. The result was a game where Newcastle’s resilience and Everton’s tactical flaws decided the outcome.
With the quarter-finals now in sight, Moyes must address these issues before facing a Fleetwood Town side that will be hungry for revenge. The 40-touch first half was not just a statistical anomaly—it was a warning. Everton’s midfield must tighten up, their full-backs must defend with more conviction, and their defensive shape must be more disciplined. Otherwise, the Toffees’ Carabao Cup campaign could be derailed before it even begins.
