Awful where it matters - Everton 3-1 Newcastle

Newcastle United have been dumped out of the Carabao Cup, losing 3-1 to Everton who progress to the quarter-finals.

It feels like the story of our season so far, sadly, as the search for consistency and steady improvement continues just days after our 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

That win on Sunday was meant to be a springboard for more, yet we were toothless in the final third, conceded three soft goals at the other end and looked too easy to play through against an Everton side who didn't have to work hard at all for their three goals.

29 shots to Everton's 11 told a story, as we had enough efforts but lacked the quality to make them count. Jaissle's system has been criticised in recent weeks and will remain a talking point, but individual shortcomings really cost us here. 

Starting 11: Hornicek; Dedic, Schar, Burn, Hall; Gonzalez, Ramsey; Murphy, Willock, Barnes; Osula.

Subs: Pope, Thiaw, Botman, Bamba, Steur, Joelinton, Elanga, Toure, Wissa.

A tale of two boxes 

To summarise, we were really poor in both boxes and got severely punished in what was such a frustrating first half.

 Despite some slick build-up play, particularly in the opening 20 minutes, and plenty of shots on Pickford's goal, our final ball was lacking and we were far too easy to score against at the other end.

Garner was given too much space to fire home the opener with a quality finish, then Hackney was gifted the freedom of our box to make it 2-0. 

The referee let us down, missing what looked like a clear penalty on Barnes moments earlier, but it's as if we stopped playing. We didn't stop the cross, we were slow to react and failed to track runners as Hackney pulled away from Ramsey with ease before volleying past Hornicek.

Toon tamed too easily

Jaissle made three changes at the break, as Joelinton, Elanga and Wissa replaced Ramsey, Barnes and Osula, who took a heavy knock in the first half from Tarkowski's saving tackle. 

Sadly, they didn't have much of an impact. At one end, we switched off once again as Barry made it 3-0 to kill off the tie completely, then Wissa almost hit the corner flag with a wild effort from 15 yards. 

Everton were solid at the back and took their chances at the other end. We were the opposite, and the lack of quality in forward areas was alarming in the second half as Wissa, Murphy, Toure, Elanga and Willock struggled to produce any moments of cutting edge. 

Then came a fight, not so much a fightback. Burn pulled one back in the 88th minute, heading home from close range, but a scrap inside the Everton goalnet then followed as Joelinton, Burn, Tarkowski and Pickford all went into the book.

And that was that. Out of the cup in a display that sums up our inconsistent season so far and major issues at both ends of the pitch.

Next up, Everton again, as the Toffees come to Tyneside for Monday's Premier League meeting.

Keep the faith. HWTL.