Everton’s old refrain of “We won’t move” has felt even more defiant since Everton’s relegation to the relegation zone in the biggest sporting sanction in Premier League history. It was a fitting soundtrack to Everton’s recovery from the situation thanks to a resounding defeat by a shell-shocked Newcastle at Goodison Park.
Eddie Howe’s side suffered their heaviest defeat of the season on a disastrous night for Kieran Trippier, but it was confirmed once again for Sean Dyche. Everton were at risk of being penalized for another home display as England international Dwight McNeil delivered a breakthrough in style as Newcastle finally entered the contest. Seven minutes later Trippier’s head was buried in his shirt when a similar mistake resulted in Abdoulaye Doucouré scoring Everton’s second goal.
Dyche, who insisted that his team only needed to add goals to their strong home performance, enjoyed the relief of a third goal when Beto scored his first goal in the Premier League in injury time. No prizes for guessing the hapless Newcastle defender who passed on Everton’s summer signing.
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“Kieran has been absolutely fantastic since signing for the football club, he has been a huge catalyst for what has happened,” the Newcastle manager said. “Collectively, we did our best tonight.”
Howe refused to use an extensive injury list as an excuse, although the visitors were lethargic during the spell and had little answer to Everton’s punishing finale. Howe added: “Last year our away form was very good but this season we haven’t been able to play away games other than Sheffield United. It’s hard to understand.”
Dyche denied before and after the game that being in the bottom three would be psychologically important for Everton. The crowd and perhaps his players may disagree. The home team had determination and desire throughout the match. Their relentless pressure on Newcastle continued until the final seconds and 38-year-old Ashley Young put his man in the corner.
After the final whistle, there was a heated argument between James Tarkowski and Joelinton, which also included the coaching staff and Jordan Pickford. “I have no idea what happened,” Howe said. “I think it was because emotions were running high after the game. We were definitely disappointed with our performance.”
The Park End was a sea of green at kick-off and in the 10th minute Everton fans held up cards bearing the Premier League logo amidst the message “We protect the few, not the many” as part of ongoing protests against the club’s management. 10 point deduction in case of financial violation. The home fans were otherwise focused on pushing Dyche’s side to just their second home league win of the season, breaking down to boo Anthony Gordon every time he touched the ball on his return to Goodison.
Dyche had to change his team at lunchtime due to James Garner falling ill. The Everton manager responded by moving Doucouré into midfield and pushing Young to the right wing. Right-back Seamus Coleman made his first appearance since undergoing surgery for the serious knee injury he sustained at Leicester in May. The 35-year-old’s return means he has played for Everton for 15 consecutive seasons. From a financial perspective, Coleman’s £60,000 transfer fee from Sligo Rovers currently works out to £4,000 per season in Everton colours.
Coleman and Young were at the forefront of a brilliant Everton start this season at Goodison that was overshadowed by carelessness with the final pass and their usual profligacy in front of goal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a glaring opportunity to reward Everton’s pressure shortly before the break. Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite beat Newcastle defenders to Pickford’s free-kick. The touch of the latter fell to Calvert-Lewin, who was offside, unmarked and five yards in front of goal, but with neat control of his chest he turned and fired a volley.
Newcastle’s front three of Gordon, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almirón were frequently isolated and only threatened when the former Everton player switched wingers to the Paraguay international. It took the visitors 36 minutes to create a real chance from open play. When Isak headed Trippier’s first cross at the back post, he should have done better than directing his header a few meters out.
Howe’s team made progress after the break with Gordon missing two good chances in quick succession. But then came the final that Trippier would like to forget. In the 11th minute of normal time, the right-back received Jamaal Lascelles’ pass and ran over the ball while trying to turn. McNeil was immediately ejected. Gaining possession, the winger raced from deep in the Newcastle half to the edge of the area and unleashed an unstoppable strike into Martin Dubravka’s left corner.
Everton’s wild celebrations were almost immediately silenced when Almirón excused himself from Branthwaite and raced away. Newcastle were thwarted for the first time by Tarkowski’s flawless tackle.
The situation would only get worse for Trippier. The experienced defender made another mistake and gave the ball to Jack Harrison not once but twice. The on-loan winger darted down the left and although McNeil missed his low cross, Doucouré scored convincingly.
Goodison screamed at the added 10 minutes but it bought Beto time to open his Premier League account. Summer signing slotted in wide from the right by Nathan Patterson, who delayed Fabian Schär’s attention to beat Newcastle’s reserve goalkeeper with another clinical finish.
“We have a very unique group of players,” Dyche said. “It doesn’t mean we’re great, but it does mean we have a connected group of players who really care and I think the Toffees respect that.”