When you check-in online Sunday morning, 24 hours before flight time, you might be offered a Same Day Change for $50. There might be available seats on a Sunday afternoon flight or a Sunday evening flight.

Accept the offer, pay the extra $50, and then fly up to EWR earlier than originally scheduled. It is less complicated than calling, explaining, etc.

I have flown home the night before, for the $50 fee. It works.