Last week, Everton sealed their fate on an emotional Sunday, as a 2-0 victory ensured the Blues finished the season in 13th. As for the Geordies, they had Champions League qualification hanging in the balance. David Moyes named Ashley Young, Michael Keane, Jack Harrison and Carlos Alcaraz in his final starting eleven of the season as Jarrad Branthwaite missed out due to injury.
Early on, Newcastle were in the ascendancy, clearly the more motivated side. The away defence were resilient, and the man behind them on form. Jordan Pickford was called in to action multiple times, eager to impress again in front of his biggest haters. Everton grew in confidence, and looked threatening when given the opportunity. Beto was a nuisance, Illiman Ndiaye toyed with the opposition, and Alcaraz looked like a man-possessed. The standout chance of the half came from a Tim Cahill-esque header by Alcaraz (more on that later). The Argentinian thumped his effort towards the net, only for acrobatics from Nick Pope to deny him. As the referee blew the half-time whistle, pressure was on as Newcastle fans fiercely refreshed their phones to check on other results.
Anthony Gordon – who was determined to make up for his penalty miss in the corresponding fixture, was subbed off on the half. Ashley Young, the 39 year old winger-turned left-back got the better of his man on multiple occasions and he was subsequently hooked. Everton began the half well, as Ndiaye inexplicably kept the ball away from multiple black and white shirts as he passed the ball wide to Harrison. The overlapping wide man curled the ball in to the box with venom, as Fabian Schar’s deflection struck the hand of Tino Liveramento at the back post. Despite the plea’s from the men in Blue, his hand was deemed to be in a ‘natural position’. Moments later, Beto won his battle and nodded the ball on to an onrushing Alcaraz. As he closed in towards goal, options opened right and left, but the midfielder opted to strike to ball towards the bottom corner, forcing another save from Pope. The Toffees were in charge as the nerves grew inside St James’s Park.
Eddie Howe’s men couldn’t say they hadn’t been warned. Just after the hour, Gana Gueye intercepted a Newcastle break and gave the ball to Ndiaye. After twisting and turning, he spun and found the onrushing Vitalyi Mykolenko whose pinpoint cross found the head of Alcaraz after some clever movement. Just like the old days – Moyes watched on as his attacking midfielder leaped in the air like a salmon. Overall, Everton deserved the lead, but would need to survive the last half an hour or so.
Newcastle huffed and puffed, but were denied by the brick wall of Everton. Schar came closest as he fired a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box as he slowly ventured forward while the clock ticked towards the 90. Fortunately for the home supporters, Aston Villa were collapsing, and it became fairly certain that Howe’s men were about to qualify for the Champions League despite the on-field result. The Toffees stood firm as the away faithful reminded the Geordies which teams Jordan Pickford disliked and to who he was now giving his all for.
Moyes hailed it as the best result of the season. In any context, an away win over a top-four side is a feat — but considering what was at stake for both teams, it was even more remarkable. A perfect way to close the curtain on an up-and-down (down-and-up, rather) campaign, as Everton head in to an exciting new dawn.
About The Author
“An Interesting One” | Oscar Bobb Linked To Everton!
Leave a Reply