Everton Fall To Disappointing Newcastle Home Defeat

Everton fell to a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Blues conceded an early lead through Malick Thiaw’s powerful header inside the opening minute. Lewis Miley’s bouncing effort slipped through the hands of Jordan Pickford on 25 minutes, doubling the advantage for the visitors.

Nick Woltemade added a third before half-time to conclude a disappointing 45 minutes from Everton. A second for Thiaw arrived just ahead of the hour mark.

A superbly-taken Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal was a consolation for the home side, whose result is just their second defeat at the new ground.

David Moyes made two changes to the starting 11 who earned a terrific 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Monday night.

Idrissa Gana Gueye – sent off last time out – was absent through suspension, while skipper Seamus Coleman was also sidelined after pulling up with a hamstring injury at Old Trafford. Tim Iroegbunam and Jake O’Brien replaced the unavailable duo.

An electric atmosphere, along with an impressive light show welcomed both sets of players under the lights at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

But, Everton conceded after just 55 seconds when Thiaw was picked out by Lewis Miley’s curling corner-kick. The defender sent his header into the far corner, past the helpless Pickford.

The goal is the earliest Everton have conceded in a Premier League home game since August 2014 against Chelsea when Diego Costa netted on 35 seconds.

The Toffees responded well despite the early frustration. On the 17-minute mark, Thierno Barry combined well with Jack Grealish, who disguised a clever through ball to Dewsbury-Hall. He couldn’t quite apply enough purchase on his sliding effort to trouble Aaron Ramsdale.

But, the Blues couldn’t capitalise on their positive surges and Newcastle found a second on 25 minutes.

A series of several failed clearances and blocked shots saw the ball ping around the Everton penalty area, before falling to Miley, who struck a bouncing shot at goal. It hit the hands of Pickford but slipped through his grasp and ended up nestled into the net.

They came close to a third minutes later, but Lewis Hall’s shot deflected onto the Everton crossbar.

Returning to a spell of possession and trying to pressure the Newcastle backline, Everton’s search for a goal was under way again – but the Toffees struggled to penetrate a determined Magpies defence.

A mix-up in the Blues’ defence just before half-time meant Anthony Elanga could nick the ball past Iroegbunam on the right flank, picking out an unmarked Woltemade for a delicate chipped finish.

Looking for a second-half turnaround, Moyes sent on midfielder Charly Alcaraz – an attacking move to replace Iroegbunam.

The Argentinian was quick to make an impact, cannoning an edge-of-the-box shot against the Newcastle cross bar on 53 minutes. That chance came just after Ramsdale had clawed an in-swinging Everton corner-kick off the goal line.

But, Newcastle again showed a clinical edge, scoring a fourth five minutes later. Thiaw, again, was the scorer. This time, providing a back-post header from Hall’s deep ball into the box.

Thierno Barry thought he’d scored a first goal in royal blue a few minutes later, swinging a bouncing loose ball into the corner from a few yards out. However, an accidental handball before the shot meant a VAR referral disallowed the goal.

Everton eventually found their goal on 69 minutes, Dewsbury-Hall excellently cushioning a long ball into the box, turning and slotting past Ramsdale.

Tyler Dibling and Dwight McNeil earned minutes from the bench after they were brought on with 11 minutes of the 90 remaining. Beto was sent on for the final moments of the game which ended with the visitors taking all three points back to the North East.