What a fantastic opportunity for Everton to enjoy a deep run in the Carabao Cup. On Wednesday night, Graeme Le Saux and Conor Coady pulled the all-important balls out of the hat, and confirmed that the winners of Everton's clash with Newcastle United will travel to Fleetwood Town in the quarter-finals.
Carabao Cup confirmed quarter-final draw
- Fleetwood Town vs Everton or Newcastle United
- Liverpool vs Bournemouth
- Crystal Palace vs Sunderland
- Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Of course, Fleetwood cannot be underestimated, particularly at Highbury. The Cod Army dumped out Arsenal on penalties on Tuesday night, producing one of the biggest upsets in the 67-year history of the League Cup. Nevertheless, the prospect of playing the side 18th in EFL League Two, for a place in a major cup semi-final, has to be viewed as a golden one for both Everton and Newcastle.
So, what all Evertonians are now fearing is, how are their team going to mess this one up? Well, backed by 7,732 Geordies at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Newcastle will believe they can knock out the Blues, but this tie is pretty much too close to call.
With the two sides generally evenly matched, just one point apart in the Premier League table, a draw after 90 minutes feels more than likely. As we've seen at Fleetwood and Anfield this week, this would result in the tie being determined by a penalty shootout. Safe to say, if this is the case, no Evertonian will be feeling confident, considering their team's recent record in spot-kick competitions.
Every Everton penalty shootout (2018-present)
Year | Competition | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
2018 | EFL Cup round 3 | Lost 4-3 vs Southampton |
2019 | EFL Cup quarter-finals | Lost 4-3 vs Leicester |
2021 | EFL Cup round 3 | Lost 8-7 vs QPR |
2023 | EFL Cup quarter-finals | Lost 7-6 vs Fulham |
2024 | EFL Cup round 3 | Lost 6-5 vs Southampton |
2025 | FA Cup round 3 | Lost 3-0 vs Sunderland |
As documented, Everton have lost each of their last six penalty shootouts, of which five have come at home, the defeat to Queens Park Rangers the sole exception. In fact, since 2018/19, five of their eight Carabao Cup eliminations have come after shootouts.
During the final season at Goodison, the last-ever League Cup tie played there saw the Toffees ousted by Russell Martin's Southampton. Then, in January, Bramley-Moore Dock's maiden FA Cup tie resulted in an embarrassing exit against Sunderland. James Garner, Thierno Barry and Beto all failed to convert from 12 yards, as the Black Cats dumped out David Moyes' team 3-0 in the shootout.
Overall, since their first against Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1970, Everton have won only five of 17 shootouts they have contested, including just two victories out of 11 in the EFL Cup.
On the flip side, Newcastle have won each of their last three shootouts, including beating Bournemouth in January. So, as both sides target a quarter-final clash with giant killers Fleetwood, if the tie is not decided by 90 minutes, it is very much advantage the Toon Army.
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