The pressure was on yet it never told on Everton. Anxiety gripped players and supporters alike in the Europa League on Thursday but aided and abetted by Newcastle United’s self-destruction, Roberto Martínez’s men eased their relegation concerns with a composed, controlled and clinical victory. “We had no fear,” said a hugely encouraged Everton manager.
Newcastle proved to be ideal guests for a team seeking to re-establish a six-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. Tim Krul dived out of the way of James McCarthy’s first goal of the season, Yoan Gouffran conceded a needless penalty to gift Romelu Lukaku his 17th goal of the campaign and the United captain, Fabricio Coloccini, was sent off for a two-footed foul on Aaron Lennon before Ross Barkley completed the scoring in stoppage time. “It was reckless, high and you could tell by the reaction of the Newcastle players that they thought it was a red card,” said Martínez.
“I thought from the reaction of the Everton players that it must be a red but I’ve watched it four or five times on a laptop and it is not conclusive,” contradicted John Carver, the Newcastle interim manager.
Newcastle were as compliant as a team with one win in nine away games would suggest but considering the stakes for Martínez and Everton, this was a calm and confident step forward in the Premier League. The manager made five changes to the team that started against Dynamo Kyiv and altered his formation too. The tireless Lennon, Lukaku and Arouna Koné led a refreshed performance while the return of Leon Osman and Darron Gibson brought noticeable improvement in the range and speed of passing from central midfield.
Lukaku had called on his team-mates to continue where they left off against Dynamo and dictate the play but Newcastle made the more aggressive start and almost took the lead inside three minutes. Gabriel Obertan was denied at close range by Tim Howard from a Ryan Taylor corner. The rebound fell to Mike Williamson, who appealed strongly for a penalty when his shot appeared to strike McCarthy’s arm on the goal-line. The midfielder’s limb was across his chest when the incident occurred and the referee, Martin Atkinson, ignored Williamson’s protests. “It could have been a lot different if it had been a penalty and they were down to 10 men,” said Carver. “But 11 v 11 we were second best.”
McCarthy’s lack of goals, even attempts on goal, is well-documented but he read Lukaku’s intentions perfectly when the centre-forward collected Phil Jagielka’s long ball and invited the midfielder to run into space. McCarthy took the lay-off, advanced and shot straight at Krul who completely misread the direction of the ball and dived away from it. The midfielder had his first goal at Goodison Park.
Martínez’s men have dropped more points from winning positions this season than any other Premier League team but they were gifted the comfort of a second by Gouffran. Attempting to trick his way out of Newcastle’s penalty area, the forward failed to spot Lennon closing in and sent the on-loan winger sprawling having been dispossessed. Lukaku sent Krul the wrong way from the spot.
The visitors’ day deteriorated further three minutes later when Coloccini invited a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on the impressive Lennon. Everton had chances to punish the 10-man but Krul saved well from Koné and Osman while Ryan Taylor blocked from the substitute Barkley on the goal-line.
To their credit, Newcastle finished strongly and it took a superb save from Howard to deny Moussa Sissoko plus an equally fine challenge from Antolín Alcaraz to prevent Rémy Cabella setting up a nervous finale. Barkley did get his goal in stoppage time, however, when fellow sub Christian Atsu broke from halfway and threaded a fine pass into the midfielder’s stride. Barkley rounded Krul before sealing a vital win for Everton. “The opening 20 minutes on Thursday were as bad as it can get but all of a sudden we found enjoyment in our play again and how we should perform,” said Martínez. “We carried that on today when there could have been extra pressure. I think Thursday could be a real turning point for us.”
Man of the match Aaron Lennon (Everton)
