The last time Newcastle played Everton in the Carabao Cup it ended with penalty heartbreak
Newcastle face a trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for a fourth-round Carabao Cup clash with Everton This evening. The two sides have met 62 times in the Premier League, but they last met in the League Cup 24 years ago.
Under their manager, Sir Bobby Robson, the Magpies were balancing Champions League and Premier League campaigns as they entered the third round of the League Cup, ready to host David Moyes' Everton (he really has been around that long).
It was a six-goal thriller, as the Magpies made a late comeback to take the tie to a nerve-racking penalty shootout.
Newcastle's form ahead of Everton clash
After finishing fourth the season before, the Magpies were back in the Champions League for the first time since 1997/1998 and made it to the group stage after winning their qualifying games.
It was a tricky start to the Magpies' Premier League season, having won only one game, with an opening-day 4-0 victory against West Ham. The same could be said for their Champions League group too, with a 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv getting the Magpies off to a shaky start.
But form had started to turn around after a derby-day victory against Sunderland, which brought some needed momentum.
That saw the magpies win four league games on the bounce, and a couple of home Champions League victories against Juventus and Kyiv, as they headed into their cup clash with Everton.
Magpies' comeback ruined on penalties
Newcastle had to fight from behind as they conceded the first goal, with Sol Campbell heading home from six yards and giving the Toffees the lead inside 11 minutes. That 1-0 scoreline would ultimately hold until half-time.
Time was ticking for the Magpies to get an equaliser, or else they were heading out. In the 78th minute, Kieran Dyer raced into the box, poked the ball through Richard Wright's legs and levelled it at 1-1.
Dyer would strike again, as he smashed it home from 20 yards out and pulled Newcastle into the lead inside 78 minutes, celebrating with an Alan Shearer-like right-hand.
But their comeback couldn't be completed, as the teenage sensation Wayne Rooney pulled the ball back for Dave Watson, who rifled it past a helpless Steve Harper in the 85th minute, taking the tie to extra time.
The Magpies re-took the lead again in extra time in the 100th minute. Alessandro Pistone headed a cross past his own goalkeeper from six yards out Almost home free for the Magpies, until Steve Caldwell conceded a penalty after failing to clear the ball in a scramble; a blatant handball from Caldwell saw him sent off and a last-minute chance for Everton to send it to spot kicks.
David Unsworth didn't miss from the spot in the 112th minute as it went to penalties.
It was 3-2 on penalties, as Campbell put Everton in the lead. It meant Robert needed to score to keep the Magpies in it; he ran up to take his penalty, but Wright saved it easily.
It was penalty heartbreak: despite the Magpies' best efforts, they led twice in normal and extra time but lost on penalties, ending their cup run early.
The Magpies' love for the Carabao Cup
In recent years, Newcastle have improved at avoiding early cup exits; since the 2022/2023 season, the Magpies have won 18 League Cup ties, six more than any other team. Not to mention winning it for the first time in 2025.
They aim to reach the quarter-finals for a fifth consecutive season, with the Magpies having won their last seven ties in the fourth round.
Last time out, Jaissle’s side prevented a third straight Premier League defeat, bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Newcastle’s last trip to the Hill Dickison Stadium ended in a 4-1 win. But their most recent meetings with Everton ended in a 3-2 defeat and a 3-1 pre-season defeat, which came shortly after the German’s appointment.
However, Matthias Jaissle will have belief and confidence after their second away win in the League, with a similar starting eleven expected.
