Match Report

If there was a feeling after the morale-sapping home defeat to Wolves last Sunday that Everton had, perhaps, gone to the well of their home crowd's vociferous backing one too many times, tonight illustrated in the most stirring way just how deep runs the passion and devotion of this club's long-suffering fans.

Supporters have answered the clarion call — initially unbidden but increasingly at the request of a struggling team — already this season, starting with the fevered atmosphere against Arsenal in December that carried the Blues to what was, before the win over Leeds last month, their last home win in the Premier League.

And if, as was suggested on these pages that the Leeds game saw the Goodison Park bear-pit cranked up to 11, tonight shattered even Nigel Tufnell's ambitious ceiling in terms of intensity. This famous old ground has played host to some raucous atmospheres but surely never has the Old Lady quaked to such a ferocious din for as long as it did tonight.

Grasping the gravity of a situation that meant even a draw would have done little for the club's parlous position, Evertonians shed their nerves at kick-off and dragged the players through 90-odd minutes of fire, brimstone, controversy and the bizarre interruption of an anti-oil protester cable-tying his neck to one of the posts early in the second half to what could end up being one of the most important results in the club's history.

The crowd seemed to live every throw-in, every tackle, every refereeing decision, practically every kick of what was, in truth, an ugly game of football played against the backdrop of gnawing anxiety leading up the game so tangible you could have cut it with a knife. Even as the odds stacked up against the Blues — the loss of Donny van de Beek and Jordan Pickford to illness before-hand, being deprived of kicking towards the Gwladys Street in the second half and then the infuriating circumstances behind Allan's red card — the fans maintained the volume.

And then… sweet, blessed relief as Alex Iwobi pivoted from being a ceaseless bundle of industry chasing black and white shirts around the park to scorer of what was, in truth, a lovely goal and one worthy of settling any game, never mind one as ugly as this.

In a purely footballing sense, Everton offered desperately little. Newcastle, with the benefit of having had Eddie Howe in the job longer than Frank Lampard and with some savvy recruitment having beefed up what was a woeful side prior to January, were more composed and penetrative over the 90 minutes but came up against the bristling intensity of a Blues team that responded to the urgency of the moment in every way in terms of sheer commitment.

The Magpies didn't shrink from the ferocity of the atmosphere in the way that Leeds seemed to; indeed they gave as good as they got in what was a very physical contest that straddled the line between legal and not. So it was fitting that referee Craig Pawson, having cultivated a permissive stance over the course of the game, only booked Allan for his cynical and late tackle on Allan Saint-Maximin with nine minutes left of the regulation 90.

His decision, however, at the prompting of the increasingly maligned Stuart Attwell sitting a couple of hundred miles away in Stockley Park, to upgrade that yellow card to red was shocking and it simply ratcheted up the fury in the crowd while simultaneously under-cutting what little chance Everton seemed to have of getting the victory they so badly needed.

Enter Iwobi, the unlikely hero of the hour, a player whose only previous goals in a Blue jersey had come at Wolves in each of the last two seasons and who was, perhaps, only in the starting XI because of Van de Beek's absence.

By the aftermath of Sunday, it felt as though Everton had made a lie of the refrain that there is enough quality in the ranks to drag themselves clear of relegation this season but together with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iwobi produced a preciously rare moment of brilliance just when the Toffees needed it following Allan's dismissal.

While the cry from supporters since Sunday had been for the manager to return to a three-man central midfield, Lampard was moved to reinstate Iwobi to the starting XI in place of Van de Beek, deploy Demarai Gray and the indefatigable Anthony Gordon either side of Richarlison, and move Ben Godfrey out to left-back to accommodate Michael Keane's return at centre-half.

Though Everton had the first chance of the game when Iwobi won a corner that Godfrey managed to get his head to but could only plant into Martin Dubravka's arms, they managed to create precious little during a tense first 45 minutes in which the visitors, in very good form coming into the evening, looked more and more comfortable as the half wore on.

Chris Wood headed straight at the impressive Asmir Begovic in the 11th minute, Ryan Fraser fired a half-volley well wide and Wood despatched a header off another set-piece narrowly over as the Magpies looked the more likely to score before the break.

Joe Willock, meanwhile, had the first effort on target of the second period when his deflected shot was comfortably gathered by Begovic before proceedings were disrupted for more than eight minutes by the one-man protest in front of the Gwladys Street and had to be cut loose.

When play resumed, Everton didn't manage to fashion an opportunity until Gray sliced a half-volley over the crossbar from around 12 yards out on the hour mark after good work by Seamus Coleman while Emil Krafth saw a decent long-range effort dealt with by Begovic a few minutes later.

And the Bosnian had to be at his best in the 70th minute when Miguel Almiron beat Godfrey down the outside and cut the ball back for Bruno Guimarà£es but Begovic pawed the ball away from his goal superbly.

What had been a fractious affair throughout got testier as the second half wore on and when Krafth chopped Richarlison down on the edge of the box, it handed Gordon an opportunity from a free-kick but his effort couldn't find its way through the defensive wall.

Everton kept the ball after the resulting corner had been cleared, though, and Gordon stung Dubravka's palms with a strong drive after excellent footwork had taken him away from two Newcastle players.

Gray was replaced by Calvert-Lewin with a quarter of an hour of the regulation 90 minutes to go and he was almost handed a quick chance to break the deadlock but Richarlison's whipped cross in the 80th minute was just too far ahead of him.

Everton's hopes of grabbing a vital victory appeared to have been dashed, however, three minutes later when Allan scythed Saint-Maximin down in full flight and Pawson stepped into the limelight to upgrade the yellow to red to the dismay and fury of the Blues' players and crowd.

Newcastle were denied the chance to make their numerical superiority count in what ended up being more than an additional quarter-hour's play by dogged Everton defending by all nine remaining outfield players and Begovic who denied Willock with another good save at his near post.

And then, after Gordon was denied a penalty when barged over in the box, the roof came off Goodison as Iwobi plundered the winner with 98 minutes on the clock. Coleman, who was back to his tenacious best, won a full-blooded challenge against Saint-Maximin, bouncing off the French winger in the centre-circle and moving the ball quickly forward to Iwobi.

The Nigerian glided inside Dan Burn, left him for dead and found Calvert-Lewin on the edge of the box who composed himself when it looked like his first touch might have got away from him before turning and laying a lovely reverse pass into Iwobi's path where he slotted across the keeper and into the far corner to send Goodison wild.

On the sidelines, Everton's management team erupted, with Lampard admitting afterwards that he might have broken a bone in his hand in the process while the Goodison crowd, which had fought every moment along with the players all night, turned into a mass of limbs.

Fabian Schà¤r had a wild effort at goal fly off target as Newcastle tried to avoid a second successive 1-0 defeat after going on a nine-match unbeaten to haul themselves clear of danger but the night was to be Everton's.

With low confidence verging on crippling among the players after what was Lampard's fourth League defeat in five, Everton sitting above the drop zone on goal difference, Newcastle in a rich vein of form and then Allan's sending off appearing to cut off the Blues' avenue to victory, this was an uplifting triumph against mounting odds.

It was another evening where, to a man (including the beleaguered Michael Keane who was excellent), the players rallied to put in a battling display that, if nothing else, proved once more that they do possess the fight when the chips are down. If things go the way Evertonians hope over the remainder of the season, it has the potential to go down in Goodison folklore as one of Everton's most memorable matches.

But for this to prove to be the turning point that the Leeds game wasn't, the players have to maintain this effort and commitment while finding a higher level of football in the coming weeks. This was all fire and little finesse and that's not going to be enough in many of the forthcoming fixtures.

After Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final, one that will test the Blues' dreadful away form once again, the manager and his staff have the international break to work with those players who won't be away with their national teams to continue developing an effective playing style that can grind out the remaining points we need.

Until then, the catharsis that accompanied this dramatic victory by the 10-man Toffees will afford the fans and players alike a little room to breathe before the League programme resumes at the London Stadium on 3rd April.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

Everton ended a dismal four-match losing streak in dramatic style after they had been reduced to 10 men with Allan harshly dismissed after a protestor had delayed the game for 8 minutes, securing himself to the gaolpost against Newcastle United under the lights at Goodison Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on the bench for this one but there was no Pickford in goal and Van de Beek was also missing from the squad, both absent through illness.

Allan returned to a three-man central midfield, Michael Keane is back in to counter the height of Chris Wood, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate, and Seamus Coleman all started.

Yerry Mina was still absent through injury, while Jonjoe Kenny was suspended after getting two yellow cards in the space of 3 minutes last time out.

Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko are on the bench but Jarrad Branthwaite is still out.

Everton kicked off but there was no real pattern to the early play, Everton failing to keep possession, although Krath's push on Gordon looked worthy of an early card. But the free-kick was played backwards. However, Everton moved forward down the left and Godfrey crossed well... but nobody there!

Down the other flank, and Iwobi won an early corner that Gray put in well, to Godfrey heading well at the far post but too close to Dubravka.

Everton tried to play some high pressing but they were still taking far too long to move the ball forward. Burn was called for wiping out Gordon. Holgate at least played a forward ball but lazily overhit. Alan tried a clever ball to release Gordon but that too was overhit.

But Guimares got behind the Everton defence and crossed dangerously close to the Everton goal. In the next attack, Wood got a clean header, straight at Begovic.

A free-kick in the middle of the park was again overhit by Keane this time, but at least it was forward. However, Newcastle won their own free-kick and another heart-in-mouth moment as the ball bobbled in the Everton area and needed clearing.

Another Newcastle free-kick conceded by Gordon was cleared to Fraser whose first-time volley bounced well wide. The pressing and tackling was a lot better that recent games, especially seeing Coleman across with Frasse the last man, and worrying him well off course

Some far better football saw a great Everton move down the left, Richarlison crossing in for Doucouré and Iwobi but neither could finish.

Newcastle did well to build an attack into the Everton area but Iwobi cleared to Ricarlison who was being held — nothing given. The visitors came back, won a corner that Begovic punched put firmly, Holgate conceding a second corner deflecting Almieron's strike.

A dangerous ball in was only just defended by Everton for a third corner and finally a partial respite, but Everton had not conceded. But Gordin was being just a little too physical in his challenges and the referee was getting closer to booking him.

Anoher Newcastle corner was worryingly headed over by Wood. But Everton were not winning many of the competitive decisions in midfield from Craig Pawson. Begovic was alert to prevent an optimistic lob from the half-way line scoring on the next Newcastle free-kick.

Everton finally got forward but it was an easy ball in for Dubrovka to take. Doucoure lost the ball when trying play forward and Holgate had to rescue things at the expense of another corner, on which Burn and Keane clashed heads.

Everton were having to defend with increasing desperation, and just not getting the ball forward effectively; when the chances came, Gray turning and losing the ball. When they won it again, it went backwards.

Allan showed great determination to win the ball and beat off two men but the solid Newcastle defence had reformed quickly. Gordon tried to produce a wondergoal and completely missed the ball.

Everton tried to build again but the attack stalled outside the Newcastle area, and no cross came in for them to defend. In advanced forward play, Coleman was ripped apart by the crowd when he played the ball backwards.

Everton did well to stall a Newcastle free-kick and Gordon won the ball well in midfield. launching an ambitious ball wide to Gray... too wide in the end but great intent.

It was very competitive in midfield with all the desire and intent that had been missing against Wolves. But the similar barrier of an efficient well-disciplined defence kept Everton from getting into decent attacking positions in the Newcastle penalty area.

Gordon did well to win a late corner in added time after Gray had stumbled. But Gray's corner did not beat the first man.

No changes for the restart, Iwobi failing to cross in early and losing the ball, Richarlison then far too easily pushed off the ball. Willock had a weak shot at Begovic. Coleman had to clear a free-kick before some stupid twat ran on the field and attached himself to the Gwladys Street goal with a strong neck-tie, requiring a massive pair of bolt-cutters!

The pillock was eventually released and carted off after a delay of 8 minutes to the game, which finally restarted with a Newcastle throw-in. the flow of the game was eventually restored but it saw Everton playing backwards again from advanced positions until it was lost.

Allan played a great ball to Richarlison but he overplayed the ball and then overplayed the attention and collapsed in a heap. But Everton finally built an attack and actually turned with the ball and took a shot sort of in the vague direction of goal.

Doucoure won a free-kick but Everton were offside when it was taken. Still no changes from Frank Lampard; something was now separately needed. Finally, a yellow card was shown to Ricjharlsion for a silly body barge.

From the free-kick, KJraft had a decent whack at goal that Begovic gathered. Doucoure, Iwobi and Gordon played the ball sideways until a ball out to Godfrey was allowed to bounce through him and out of play.

Everton won a free-kick and Richarlison was barged over off the ball. Allan was next to be given a free-kick. Coleman and then Gray saw shots blocked and Newcastle broke at pace, Almiron almost creating something before he was withdrawn for Saint-Maximin, Howe making a move while Lampard continued to ponder.

Richarlison was awarded a rather soft free-kick, that won a corner at the far post. Gray's next delivery was reworked to Gordon who overhit his cross and Gray couldn't control it beyond the far post.

Krafth was very strong in turning Gordon, who went flying, but Everton failed to get forward from the free-kick and more horribly scrappy play ensued as Calvert-Lewin finally came on for Gray.

Krafth bundled over Richarlison on the edge of the Newcastle area and saw yellow, Gordon also for stupidly getting involved,. Gordon's free-kick deflected behind through the wall, for a corner that Joelinton headed away.

Gordon cut in from the recycle and powered a splendid shot in that Dubrovka had to save. A much better move saw Gordon feed Richarlison who crossed first time but Calvert-Lewin was too far behind to convert. Coleman did well to work the wall back in but went down too easily.

Allan barely tapped Saint-Maximin's ankle, but very late and he was in full flight and VAR pondered the possible red card; he was a long way behind the ball, and Pawson was asked to look at it, which only means one thing: red card for Allan. Always looks bad in slo-mo.

Everton were livid seeing it on the big screen but protestations were for nought. Could the 10 men survive now for a point? 14 minutes of added time for Newcastle shooting practice.

Willock was first in line, Begovoc down well to save. From the corner, a Newcastle shot is blocked by Keane. Gordon got free and galloped into the Newcastle area but then stepped across the defender, blatantly trying to buy a penalty; Pawson was not fooled.

Newcastle surged forward again and again. Calvert-Lewin was fouled but Pawson let it go and the crowd gave him another round of abuse as the minutes ticked away.

Then a moment of more sublime madness — Gomes battled for the ball and Coleman did a brilliant captain's job to retrieve a lost cause in his tackle, fedding Iwobi who drove forward, played a great ball off Calvert-Lewin with a brilliant reverse flick back into Iwobi's path and he finished superbly to give Everton the lead.

Still minutes to play, however, and the Everton defence needing to stay firm giving up a late corner that was headed behind off Coleman, but no corner given. A great cheer from the Everon crowd, with Gordon finally going off for Townsend.

Begovic took a long time over his goalkick and finally, after 17 minutes of added time, Pawson blew the final whistle and Everton had won this absolutely crazy game of Premier League football.

Kick-off: 7:45pm, Thursday 17 March 2022 on Amazon Prime Video in the UK

Everton: Begovic, Coleman, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Allan [R:84'], Doucoure, Iwobi, Gray (76' Calvert-Lewin), Gordon [Y:76'] (90+15' Townsend), Richarlison [Y:64'] (87' Gomes) .
Subs not Used: Lonergan, Tyrer, Patterson, Mykolenko,Rondon, Dele.

Newcastle United: Dàºbravka, Krafth, Schà¤r, Burn, Targett, Willock, Guimarà£es, Joelinton, Almirà³n, Wood, Fraser (85' Murphy).
Subs: Dummett, Lascelles, ( Saint-Maximin) Ritchie, Manquillo, Darlow, Gayle, Longstaff.

Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Stuart Attwell

Michael Kenrick

Match Preview

Everton go into what is the most important game of the season so far looking to arrest a four-match losing streak in the Premier league and bolster their hopes of avoiding the drop this season.

Sunday's defeat to Wolves and wins elsewhere for Watford and Leeds left the Blues sitting on the cusp of the relegation zone, just a point above 19th place but still with games in hand on the teams around them.

One of those is this all-important clash with much-improved Newcastle United under the lights at Goodison Park where, once again, the atmosphere is expected to be fevered, albeit tinged with nerves at the gravity of the situation.

Everton have 12 more matches from which to find enough points to keep themselves in the Premier League. It is up to Frank Lampard and his coaching staff to find a functioning system and a means of elevating morale to the point where this team can start putting points on the board.

There has been a feeling at times this season, mostly early on before injuries took a toll on the likes of Dominic Calvert Lewin and Lucas Digne was sold to Aston Villa that Everton's first choice 11 was on paper good enough to challenge for Europe.

Yerry Mina's injury absences mean that, in defence in particular, the Blues are well short of being at the strongest and won't be until the until towards the end of the season at the very earliest by which point it may be too late. Nevertheless, the talent that propelled the team to an unbeaten start at the beginning of the season is largely still there. Likewise the bulk of the side that sat in second place on Boxing Day 2020.

There is, in combination with the Goodison crowd, a combination of factors, a coalescing of intangibles that can still inspire this team to achieve the victories that could yet save them from the drop starting against the Magpies.

But it surely rests on Lampard restoring Allan to a three-man central midfield, bringing Michael Keane back in to counter the height of Chris Wood, moving Ben Godfrey out to left-back where he has played well in the past and possibly even using Mason Holgate at right-back instead of the struggling Seamus Coleman and the suspended Jonjoe Kenny.

Up front, much depends on the condition of Calvert-Lewin who will be assessed before the game after he returned to light training yesterday following illness.

The striker, who has had a stop-start return to the side after missing four months of the season with a serious thigh injury, missed the defeat on Sunday because of a virus that also kept Nathan Patterson and Jarrad Branthwaite out of the squad.

Lampard indicated today that a late decision will be made on Calvert-Lewin while offering updates on the recoveries of Fabian Delph, Mina and Tom Davies. The manager said that there is a chance that Delph could return after the upcoming international break but that Mina and Davies are still a few weeks away.

Newcastle looked doomed in December when they were bottom of the League and coming off heavy defeats by Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City. However, as Eddie Howe's methods started to bed in and the club were able to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window, things have improved significantly for the Magpies.

Between Christmas and their narrow defeat last Sunday at Chelsea, they went on a nine-game unbeaten run that has lifted them to 14th place and some nine points above the drop zone. They will travel to Merseyside with plenty of confidence and will not be easy to beat at all even if their injury doubts, Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton don't make it.

For Everton, nothing short of a big performance, one that marries Lampard's possession game with plenty of direct play, will do. And surely nothing short of victory will be enough.

Kick-off: 7:45pm, Thursday 17 March 2022

Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Last Time: Everton 0 - 2 Newcastle United

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Allan, Doucouré, Van de Beek, Gray, Gordon, Richarlison

Lyndon Lloyd

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