No Grealish, no cry: The rise of Everton's youth

Everton faced a significant disruption ahead of their EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Newcastle after it was revealed that Jack Grealish had been dropped from the squad. The winger was reportedly excluded due to an unauthorised absence from training, casting a shadow over the club's pursuit of a first trophy in 31 years.

However, the side responded emphatically, with the club's younger players taking centre stage. 24-year-old Hayden Hackney, a summer signing from Middlesbrough, led the charge by assisting James Garner before scoring a second goal himself. Hackney’s performance was a reminder of the quality that saw him named Championship player of the year last term.

Manager David Moyes praised the performance but maintained a balanced view, noting that there is still room for development as these players adjust to the Premier League. With a threadbare squad, the reliance on youth has become a necessity, with seven of the ten permanent signings since January 2025 being 24 or under.

This shift in philosophy is reflected in the numbers: the average age of Everton's starting XI has dropped by 18 months this season. Trust in younger players, including Thierno Barry, Harrison Armstrong, and Tyrique George, is higher than ever, with 21-year-olds and under already logging more minutes than they did in the entire 2025-26 campaign.

While senior figures like James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford remain vital, the growing influence of the youth core provides a promising outlook. As Everton prepares to face Newcastle again in the Premier League on Monday, the focus remains on whether this young group can maintain their recent momentum.