Hayden Hackney Stars as Everton Youngsters Shine Without Grealish

Hayden Hackney Seizes Chance as Everton's Young Guns Deliver Without Jack Grealish

Everton defeated Newcastle United in the EFL Cup fourth round at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday, with £16.5m summer signing Hayden Hackney starring in the absence of Jack Grealish, who was dropped over an unauthorised training absence. The win sets up a quarter-final against Fleetwood Town and highlighted the growing influence of David Moyes' young squad.

Fixture: Everton vs Newcastle United, EFL Cup fourth round, Hill Dickinson Stadium
Result: Everton won, with goals from James Garner and Hayden Hackney
Key Absence: Jack Grealish dropped due to unauthorised absence from training
Standout Performer: Hayden Hackney (assist and goal) and Thierno Barry (assist)
Next Up: Quarter-final vs Fleetwood Town; Premier League rematch at Newcastle on Monday

What was said

"I thought there were bits of his game that were very good. Getting a goal was great. There were other bits where I didn't think it was where it was [supposed to be]. But I see this as a bit of bringing in Championship players, getting them used to the Premier League. A couple of times he got caught on the ball. But I really enjoyed bits. He gave us a bit of an attacking play, getting into the box, and obviously getting the goal was really good. A really good assist from Thierno Barry as well, to be fair."
— David Moyes, Everton manager, on Hayden Hackney's performance

Moyes' assessment is typical of his demanding nature—praising the impact while demanding more consistency. His comments also reveal a deliberate strategy of integrating players from the Championship, with Hackney the latest example.

While Moyes refused to confirm whether Grealish would return for Monday's league rematch, he acknowledged the importance of senior players like James Tarkowski, Jordan Pickford and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The balance between youth and experience remains key.

Deal details

Hayden Hackney: Signed from Middlesbrough for £16.5m in summer; 24-year-old midfielder; Championship Player of the Year last season.
Tyler Dibling: Joined from Southampton for £35m in summer 2025; 20-year-old winger.
Thierno Barry: Joined from Villarreal in July 2025; France U21 international; 24 or under.
Tyrique George: Joined permanently from Chelsea in summer after loan spell; 20-year-old; scored first Everton goal vs Manchester United in September.
Merlin Rohl: Signed permanently in summer after loan; 24-year-old midfielder; has filled in at right-back.

Injury and availability

Jack Grealish: Dropped for Newcastle cup tie due to unauthorised absence from training; future for Monday's league game uncertain.
Merlin Rohl: Missed four games through injury but returned to starting XI vs Chelsea and retained place vs Arsenal and Newcastle.

Why Moyes is betting on youth

David Moyes has shown a clear shift in philosophy this season, giving significantly more minutes to young players. The average age of Everton's Premier League starting XI has dropped by almost 18 months to 26 years and 216 days. Players aged 24 or under are playing a much higher proportion of league minutes, and the total minutes for players aged 21 or under has already exceeded last season's figure.

Hayden Hackney exemplifies this new approach. Despite limited starts—only his second start since the opening day—he grabbed his opportunity with a goal and assist. His ability to knit possession and carry the ball with confidence, honed in the Championship, offers Everton a dynamic presence in midfield.

Thierno Barry has been thrust into the spotlight as the club's only specialist centre-forward, playing 918 minutes and scoring seven goals—just one shy of last season's total despite 30 fewer matches. His involvement in 62.5% of Everton's big chances underlines his importance.

With Harrison Armstrong (19) starting every league game and Tyler Dibling (20) growing into his role, Moyes is clearly building for the future while maintaining competitiveness. The challenge will be balancing this youth movement with the experience of players like Tarkowski, Pickford and Dewsbury-Hall.

Talking points

Should Jack Grealish be sold in January after his unauthorised absence, or does Moyes need his experience for the relegation battle?
Is Hayden Hackney ready to start regularly in the Premier League, or is he better as an impact substitute?
Can Everton's young squad handle the pressure of a quarter-final and a potential trophy run?
With Thierno Barry as the only senior striker, should Everton sign another forward in January to avoid burnout?

What happens next

Everton face Newcastle again on Monday at St James' Park in the Premier League, with Moyes facing a selection dilemma over Grealish. A win would further boost confidence and solidify the young players' roles. The quarter-final against Fleetwood Town awaits, offering a realistic path to a first trophy in 31 years.

Frequently asked questions

Why was Jack Grealish dropped for Everton's game against Newcastle?

Grealish was dropped from the squad over what is understood to have been an unauthorised absence from training.

Who scored Everton's goals against Newcastle in the EFL Cup?

James Garner scored the opening goal, assisted by Hayden Hackney, before Hackney himself scored Everton's second with a close-range volley, assisted by Thierno Barry.