Everton 3 - 0 Newcastle
04.02.2016 21:30
Everton claimed their first home league win since November with victory over Newcastle at Goodison Park.
The Toffees, without a Premier League win since Boxing Day, went ahead through Aaron Lennon's low finish.
Ross Barkley's shot was tipped onto the bar, Tom Cleverley's free-kick tipped onto the post, while Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey headed against his own bar.
Barkley converted two late penalties to secure the win, the second a delightful chip after Jamaal Lascelles saw red.
Roberto Martinez's Everton move up to 11th in the table, while Newcastle remain 18th, two points from safety in the relegation zone.
A collective sigh of relief
The Toffees had blown leads in three of their last five league matches, and after striking the Newcastle woodwork three times in four second-half minutes, it looked as if they might again pay for failing to take their chances.
Three minutes after Shelvey diverted Barkley's free-kick onto the Newcastle bar, Aleksandar Mitrovic wasted the away side's only clear opening of the match - volleying wide from close range after static defending.
Barkley's two late penalties added gloss to what was at times a nervy showing.
Lennon was fouled by Rolando Aarons in the box with two minutes left and Barkley stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way, before delighting the crowd with a Panenka after being tripped by Lascelles, who was sent off.
Newcastle struggling in front of goal
Only Norwich and Aston Villa have conceded more than Newcastle this term, but the majority of the £83m the club has spent since the end of last season has been on offensive acquisitions.
Ivory Coast forward Seydou Doumbia, who arrived on loan from Roma on deadline day, was an unused substitute, while Andros Townsend, signed from Tottenham for about £12m, was an isolated figure on the left wing.
Had summer signing Mitrovic taken Newcastle's best chance, then Steve McClaren's side may not have capitulated in the way they did in the last few minutes.
But a draw would have been harsh on Everton, who created the clearer chances and carried the greater attacking potency, especially through Barkley.
'Phenomenal' Barkley
"Phenomenal footballer, phenomenal person," Martinez said of his attacking midfielder Barkley. "He took responsibility with both penalties and showed he is an assured, technical footballer," he added.
There were moments when Barkley's technique didn't quite match his creativity but his second penalty wasn't one of them. The poise he showed when chipping the ball delicately home was the exclamation point in a vital win for the home side.
(BBC)
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