---
title: "Sky Sports criticised over Everton v Newcastle coverage after cup thriller"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/sky-sports-criticised-everton-newcastle-carabao-cup-coverage/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-10-30T10:15:07Z"
modified: "2026-10-30T10:15:07Z"
---

# Sky Sports criticised over Everton v Newcastle coverage after cup thriller

**Sky Sports has come under criticism for its coverage of Everton’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United at the Hill Dickinson on Thursday night.**

The fourth-round tie was available on Sky Sports+, rather than one of the broadcaster’s main football channels, with viewers questioning the level of coverage afforded to the only Carabao Cup game of the evening.

## Viewers question Sky Sports+ coverage

Unlike a regular Sky Sports television production, there was no presenter or punditry team at the Hill Dickinson, while commentary was delivered remotely rather than from inside the stadium.

That became a source of frustration among supporters watching from home, particularly over the way the atmosphere inside the Hill Dickinson came across. Sky Sports+ regularly carries EFL fixtures in this format, and every Carabao Cup fourth-round tie was available across Sky’s platforms.

The complaints, however, were more about the game chosen for that particular treatment.

[Everton](https://readeverton.com/) were hosting Newcastle in front of a packed ground and a large travelling support, with a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at stake. There was also significant news before kick-off when Jack Grealish was left out of the Everton squad following a breach of club discipline.

The game itself justified much of the interest. James Garner and Hayden Hackney put Everton two goals ahead before half-time, Newcastle responded by making three changes at the break, and Thierno Barry eventually made it 3-0 before Dan Burn’s late consolation.

The Guardian was also critical of the broadcast during its live coverage, taking aim at both the picture quality and their decision to place the fixture behind Sky Sports+’s red-button service.

For supporters inside the Hill Dickinson, it developed into one of Everton’s best nights since moving into their new home. Judging by the reaction afterwards, plenty watching elsewhere felt the television coverage struggled to convey that.

***For all the latest Everton news, reaction and analysis, visit our [Everton news page](https://readeverton.com/news/).***