Fine displays from Ross Barkley and Aaron Lennon inspired Everton to a first home win since their 4-0 triumph over Aston Villa in November.

The Blues started the better of the two teams and dominated possession throughout but were denied further goals as Rob Elliot produced save after save and also had his woodwork to thank. However, Lennon’s man of the match performance led the way for an all-round gritty and determined effort from the hosts.

Barkley keeps his cool late on

An early goal from Lennon sent the Toffees on their way to a first home win since November but it was Barkley who secured all three points with two goals from the penalty spot within the last few minutes. 

Barkley, who has been in fine form for a number of weeks, settled any nerves the home fans had when he powerfully converted his penalty low to Elliot’s right in the 88th minute. Lennon won the penalty after he was brought down by Newcastle United substitute Rolando Aarons, fitting in at left back for an injured Paul Dummett. It was also Everton’s first spot kick of the season. 

Only five minutes later, right at the end of injury time, substitute Jamaal Lascelles mistimed a ball over the top and Barkley powered past until he was one-on-one with Elliot. Lascelles pulled him down and referee Craig Pawson awarded the Blues their second penalty of the night. Lascelles was sent off and Barkley calmly took a chipped, Paneka penalty as Pawson blew for full time. 

Blues go back to basics

Without the injured John Stones and with Leighton Baines only a substitute, there was no messing about between the Toffees back line. There were no turns inside the box or putting the goalkeeper under the pressure, just a solid defensive backline performance that complimented the Blues attacking threat.

Joel Robles started his first Premier League game of the season as Tim Howard missed out through injury. Robles was in fine form and while the visitors did not trouble him, he did what he was required of him to keep a clean sheet. The Spaniard brings a calmness to the back line as he talks throughout and can regularly be heard by the fans behind his goal. 

Ramiro Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka cleared their lines when needed and were only troubled when Newcastle sent on Aleksandar Mitrovic, as the Serbian international beat the pair to a number of headers. The only real chance that had the Everton alarm bells ringing was when Mitrovic escaped the Blues attention, but could not volley the ball home past Robles. 

Seamus Coleman cuts out a pass for Andros Townsend. (Photo: Everton FC)

Defensive woes for the Magpies

Of the £80 million pounds Steve McClaren has spent as Newcastle United boss, only £8.4 million has been spent on the back line. Newcastle’s defence could have conceded another two or three had it not been for a number of fine saves from Elliot and the woodwork of his goal. 

Tom Cleverley and the impressive Barkley hit the woodwork from distance. Lennon and Arouna Kone also troubled the Magpies defence a number of times where their midfielders were called into action to make last ditch challenges before near certain goals. 

It was the ninth game without a clean sheet for the Magpies with only rivals Sunderland, with 10, having a worse record in the Premier League. They have also conceded the most goals from outside the 18 yard box in the league, eight, with them majority coming from communication breakdowns between defence and midfield. 

With Chancel Mbemba and Paul Dummett being substituted through injuries and Lascelles suspended, the Magpies will have to find a way to bolster their defensive efforts in the next few weeks or they could be in serious relegation trouble. 

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About the author
Connor Bennett
Everton editor for VAVEL UK - contributing since 2015. Premier League accredited journalist. Journalism graduate from Liverpool. Writing about Football, eSports and the NFL. Email: [email protected] | Twitter: ConnorBennett14