Premier League Full time report: Everton vs Newcastle United
Venue: Goodison Park
Scoreline: 0-1(Arfa 44’)
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Heitinga, Pienaar, Fellaini, Beckford.
Subs: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Neville, Gueye, Yakubu, Coleman, Barkley.
Newcastle: Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Tiote, Barton, Ben Arfa, Nolan, Carroll
Subs: Krul, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Gutierrez, Ameobi.
This match could have proven a difficult day for Hughton’s men as Newcastle had failed to win in their last seven visits to Goodison Park in the Premier League and had won only two of their last 24 away games at Premier League
level. Yet things changed this time around as Newcastle managed to secure their first away win of the season. From the opening whistle, Newcastle United took charge of things and made various chances for themselves. In the 5th minute, Jose Enrique’s
cross was marginally too high for Carroll but Routledge got his head to it. Although he caught it cleanly enough, it never threatened the goal of Howard. Following that attack, a flash of brilliance was seen from Ben Arfa, who almost brought Newcastle the
lead. The winger managed to cut in from the left, skipped past Hibbert and Jagielka, before slipping Nolan through on goal but the former Bolton man was a fraction too early and was signalled offside. Newcastle were first to absolutely everything there. Barton
and Tiote then assumed control in the middle and with wingers like Ben Arfa and Routledge, the visitors looked like a threat. Newcastle won a corner in the 16th minute with Barton hitting the ball long to the back post but Carroll could only head
it wide.
It was all Newcastle from the start and Everton would only be thankful to goalkeeper Tim Howard who managed another sensational save. Having turned Baines inside out, Nolan’s cross took a deflection off the head of Heitinga and
was looping over the big American, who managed to rearrange his feet and tip it over for another corner. Newcastle’s fine display in the park was finally awarded with a much needed goal. Just at the brink of half time, Ben Arfa dropped his shoulder on the
edge of the box, skipped past Heitinga before letting go an absolute rocket that screamed past Howard; what a strike from the little winger.
On the 56th minute mark there was a shout for a penalty from the resulting corner. Routledge picked up the clearance and ran at Yakubu, although there appeared to be no contact but Routledge went down under the challenge.
Penalty was not awarded and Newcastle dropped deep to invite pressure. On the 75th minute, Yakubu layed-off to Fellaini but he skewed wide and apart from early chances this half, the Toffees only struggled. With just 10 minutes remaining, a free
kick was awarded on the edge of the area to the visiting side. There was a chance for Carroll as Ben Arfa broke and slid in the big front man but he took too long and Baines slid in. Ben Arfa collected the break of the ball and went down under the challenge
of the Distin but the calls for a penalty was muted. Everton made several substitutions and what was their last chance of the game, a quick free-kick found Baines down the channel, who cut back for Yakubu. The Nigerian hit a low and hard shot but it came
back off the post and Krul collected via a deflection off his back and with luck like that it was certain it was not Everton’s day. Everton couldn’t find the goal and Newcastle defended hard till the end to secure all three points.
With no wins so far David Moyes, the manager would be extremely disappointed with the progress so far. The side has only managed 2 points from their opening 5 Premier League games and currently sit in the relegation zone. The team
will have to step up their progress and find the right mix in order to survive the ever competing Premier League.
Tags: