Everton supporters were up early to make the 175 mile drive over the Penines to Newcastle’s cathedral on the hill. The team would have to be buoyed by the better performance against Manchester United by it was still a loss. Leaving the pressure of the Hill Dickinson, the team will hope to improve on the awful 4-1 mauling from November. The home team had won only one out of the last six matches. One point separated the clubs before kickoff with the Blues holding the advantage.
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Team News
The big news was the start for Dwight McNeil. He hadn’t played a minute of action since his move to Crystal Palace collapsed on deadline day. Beto was given the start ahead of Barry and Mykolenko returned at LB with Branthwaite moving back into the middle of the back line.
Eddie Howe made only one change with Nick Pope coming back into the team in goal.
Match Report
It was a raucous introduction of the teams with Jordan Pickford being given a loud boo when his name was announced. Everton kicked off in their all blue strip. McNeil was on the ball and looked to be playing on the right. An early long throw into the box by O’Brien could not find a blue shirt. Everton were getting on the ball early on but Beto was without a touch.
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A great move between Ndiaye and Gueye led to the first shot for Everton but Ndiaye’s effort was just over the bar. Moments later, Newcastle had their first spell of possession and when Joelinton received the ball from Gordon, the cheers from the Evertonians was so loud as the ball sailed over the net and almost made it to them in the upper stand.
Iliman Ndiaye made a great run with support coming from KDH but his pass was too slow and offside was called to snuff out a big chance. Everton were on top and Ndiaye’s pass into Beto forced a corner. Garner delivered it and it was met by a glancing header from Jarrad Branthwaite which hit the far post and went in. Incredibly, he headed the ball 6 yards in front of the post and still got the angle right. The good start was rewarded.
Newcastle looked to respond quickly but the blue shirts were composed as the bar codes looked frustrated. Newcastle’s first corner saw Joelinton get his head on it but it was weak. Elanga then had a shot from distance which was easily handled by Pickford. Howe had moved Gordon inside to get him on the ball and when Jacob Ramsey took his pass, the shot hit Branthwaite and it was taken away from Pickford and into the back of the net. All square again.
Everton responded immediately when McNeil brought down a ball with a deft touch. He drove forward and curled a shot for the far corner which Pope palmed back towards the middle of his goal which Beto pounced on to restore Everton’s lead.
The Geordies looked for their own response and a cross from Gordon ricocheted around until Pickford got control. Newcastle were slowing the game down with Gordon getting on the ball more and more. A corner for Newcastle was poorly delivered for the third time received a raucous response from the Geordie fans as two minutes of additional time was announced. Neither team could muster any real chances as the half concluded with Everton holding the advantage.
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Just before the kickoff, Jacob Ramsey was obviously ill on the pitch and was replaced by Joe Willock. Another nice touch by McNeil led to a first shot on net which was easily saved. When Gordon chose not to challenge Tarkowski as he marshalled the ball for a goal kick, the Geordies were going crazy.
A great clearance from Pickford saw Beto get onto the ball and he was brought down near the edge of the box. VAR decided it was not a penalty and incredibly, not even a foul. The resulting corner saw Tonali throw Garner out of the field of play which Stuart Attewell had a little chat with the little Italian.
Newcastle were given a free kick near about 25 yards out that was poorly delivered by Trippier. The crowd was getting restless. Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy were warming up and they were brought on with Elanga and Woltemade being withdrawn.
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Everton were playing some nice intricate passes but they could not penetrate. Defensively, they were solid at the back. A cross from Hall was met by a diving Branthwaite to deny a Gordon chance. Pickford then spilled a shot from Gordon but Tarkowski was there to clear. KDH broke away and was pulled back with a yellow card being given to Joe Willock.
Newcastle were turning the screws as Everton defended deeper. On the counter attack, Beto was in the clear by a mile but the big man hit the bar with his effort. Newcastle took solace in the miss and piled forward again. Ndiaye was able to get on the ball and slow the game down. Gordon broke forward and this time it was KDH who was given a yellow for a poor tackle.
Everton were restricting Newcastle to long shots and when Trippier crossed the ball, Pickford got a finger tip to it to take it off the head of Gordon. The Evertonians were growing in voice as Barry was brought on to replace Beto who had run his socks off. Trippier was taken off with Wissa coming on to push for the equalizer.
Gordon took a shot from long range which was blocked by KDH. Dwight McNeil was slowing down as Armstrong prepared to enter the fray. That change was made and the returning McNeil was given a great sendoff. The barcodes continued to push with ten minutes to go and when Joelinton lobbed a ball across the box it landed on the foot of Jacob Murphy who had his shot deflect off Gueye and into the back of the goal. Another tough one for Pickford.
Incredibly, Everton piled down the pitch and when KDH delivered a ball across the six yard box, Barry was hauled down by Hall but the ball hit the falling Barry and went into the net. Kisses were blown by Barry towards the Evertonians in the highest reaches of St. James’ Park.
With five minutes to go, no one could predict the outcome. Newcastle took off Gordon and brought on Osula. Everton were counter attacking and when KDH went down, Dan Burn went over and hauled up the stricken blue which brought out the handbags. Burn was given a yellow for his efforts. KDH was taken off with Keane coming on to shut the barn door.
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Ndiaye was fouled again and Joelinton avoided a yellow card for the umteenth time. The free kick saw Barry lose control at the wrong time which allowed Newcastle to break forward. Thankfully, Mykolenko was there to shut it down. Everton repelling the wave of attacks from Newcastle. Pickford easily handled a poor cross and there was less than 3 minutes of the 6 additional that had been announced.
When Joelinton shot the ball, it returned to Tonali who blasted a shot goalward which was tipped by Pickford onto the bar. The save of the season. The corner saw Tarkowski’s arm hit the ball but it was against his body so the match continued. What an ending to the match as Moyes pleaded for the end and the Evertonians sang the praises of their team. Attewell allowed the play to go into the 7th minute but his whistle ended the match.
Everton’s Man of the Match
The Team: To give any one player a Man of the Match would have been so disrespectful to the rest of the players. McNeil’s touch, Beto’s reaction, Garner’s work rate, Branthwaite and Tarkowski’s defending, Barry’s determination and the save from Pickford to secure the three points were all noteworthy. A team performance from start to finish. More of this please.
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Instant Reaction
The two away losses saw the team under pressure and a match at Newcastle was going to be another tough one. In the end, the team rose to the occasion and took home three points to move into 8th place, only three points behind Brentford. The best part for me was the way they reacted to being pegged back twice; Beto and Barry getting goals in seconds after the Newcastle goals. No hanging about, just straight attack and for our two forwards, deserved goals.
The return of McNeil to the starting lineup was the biggest surprise and before the match it was going to be an awful decision or a stroke of brilliance for Moyes. His play today showed the quality that he brings to the side. Most of the time it is his set piece delivery that is his strength but his touch, control, drive and shot which led to Beto’s goal was sublime. In the end, Moyes looks like the Messiah again.
If there was any question about how much better our back line is when Jarrad Branthwaite is in the middle, that was answered today in the affirmative. He scored a goal but his speed at the back denied any through balls being used by Newcastle. His ability to read the game and react to dangerous situations showed everyone that he should be in the middle moving forward. Ten defensive contributions, 7 clearances, 3 headed clearances, 1 interception and 3 recoveries says it all.
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This season is turning into something more than we expected. As Evertonian Dave Freeman said at the conclusion, “Forty points and we’re staying up!” A point of truth but Dave needs to start looking up, not down. Bring on Burnley!
