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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas

Paul Clement the peacemaker as incensed Everton take complaints to Newcastle tunnel

Miguel Almiron's match winner came on a rising tide of emotion as Newcastle United built pressure and Everton felt hard done by through a number of refereeing decisions.

The temperature was rising at St James' Park as the Blues lost out on a host of close calls, challenges on Amadou Onana and Anthony Gordon among those raising questions as to why they had gone unnoticed. When the goal came, Onana and his teammates felt he had been fouled again and then, minutes later, the situation flared once more when Gordon went down in the box under a challenge from Dan Burn.

The remonstrations continued throughout the first half and came off the back of a trip to Tottenham Hotspur in which Everton's defeat partially hinged on a soft penalty against them. After another frustrating 90 minutes away from Goodison Park, here are a few moments that may have been overlooked - or missed - in the aftermath of the match, from Neal Maupay's kit confusion, and Frank Lampard's thoughts on it, to the concern at the decisions against Everton which continued well after the half time whistle.

VERDICT FROM ST JAMES' PARK: Everton must face harsh reality over problem that has been glaring for months

READ MORE: Frank Lampard gives take on worrying Everton trend that continued at Newcastle

Jordan Pickford's maturity shines through

He may not have kept the clean sheet or got the result needed to silence the home fans, but Jordan Pickford kept his cool in a hostile environment. Pickford repeatedly pointed to his own head as he made eye contact with Conor Coady and James Tarkowski, as if they three were reminding each other of the need for composure. The England number one could do little about Miguel Almiron's sublime goal but kept Fabian Schar out from close range and gave an assured response to the boos and jeers of the home fans who have not forgotten his Sunderland heritage.

The real pantomime villain on Wednesday night

While much of the focus was on Pickford and the potential for him to become a focal point, Callum Wilson played the real role of pantomime villain in this match. The Newcastle striker was a constant menace and sought to wind up his opponents at every opportunity. One early example saw him arguing with Pickford about the placement of an Everton free-kick, throwing the ball back towards the goal line and then, when it was taken, making as if to encroach. Minutes later he brought down Amadou Onana - one of several decisions that did not go Everton's way in the build up to the goal - and, as the Belgium international lay on the floor Wilson stood above him as if to question why he had stayed down.

Paul Clement the peacemaker

The decision-making incensed Everton, the players clearly thinking Onana was fouled seconds before the goal. That was one of several incidents Everton had a right to question, including Wilson on Onana and an early - and clear - foul on Anthony Gordon that was overlooked in the opening minutes. After Gordon went down in the box under pressure from Burn, Kieran Trippier crossed the width of the pitch to start a melee that somehow ended without him seeing yellow. As the officials walked off the pitch at half-time, Seamus Coleman tracked them all the way into the tunnel as he appeared to highlight his concern at what was unfolding. It took first team coach Paul Clement to put his arm around the Blues captain to shepherd him away from him highlighting his thoughts. Pickford and Trippier were part of the same group and enveloped in their own discussions - which Clement interrupted by stepping between the pair before moving to Coleman's side.

Frank Lampard as the 12th man

Lampard is not much for the dugout and is often seen pacing the edge of his technical box during matches. That was no different on Wednesday night, but he was particularly animated in the second half as Everton sought an equaliser. Lampard tried to direct play as much as he could and appeared to be kicking every ball himself, his frustration visible when play broke down but his positivity also clear when his side showed glimpses of good build up play.

Maupay's wrong socks

Neal Maupay entered the fray in the 73rd minute at St James' Park but was unable to help Everton muster a shot on target as they searched for an equaliser. His introduction, while expected as Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first start of the season came to an end, did have one surprise in store - he was wearing the wrong socks. Maupay had blue socks on while his teammates were all wearing white. Lampard was actually asked about this in the post-match press conference by a reporter who conceded in advance it may be the daftest query put to the Blues boss all season. Lampard responded: I didn't even clock that... I apologise, I haven't got an answer for that."

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