Newcastle United took another step forward in their bid for Champions League football next season and edged closer to relegation with a 4-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday.
Despite not playing their best, Eddie Howe’s side were still too strong for the Toffees, with Callum Wilson scoring twice and Joelton also finding the net. Newcastle now enjoy an eight-point cushion over fifth-placed Aston Villa, with a game in hand.
Defeat leaves Everton still stuck in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety, and with an uphill task if they are to extend their 69-year stay in the English top flight. Everton have scored the fewest goals in the Premier League this season and were again punished for their lack of attacking prowess despite an impressive start to the game.
Newcastle scored five times inside the first 21 minutes in their 6-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday. However, the Magpies barely threatened before taking the lead in the 28th minute. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should have done better when he blocked Joelinton’s shot in the danger area, and Wilson took advantage of the loose ball to score his fifth goal in six games.
Dominic Calvert’s long-term injury to Lyon has left Everton in a precarious position this season. The English striker returned to action in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace and showed his quality with a delicate dunk on Nick Pope, which was ruled out for offside.
Pickford made a superb save to prevent Joe Wilk from doubling Newcastle’s lead twenty minutes from time, but Everton’s defense crumbled when Joelton headed in a simple header from Wilk’s cross. . Wilson then scored a superb third, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box.
Even when Everton finally found the back of the net, it was because of a rare goal as Dwight McNeill’s corner wrong-footed former Burnley team-mate Pope. However, within a minute, Alexander Isak came off the bench to toy with Everton’s defense and then set up Jacob Murphy for Newcastle’s fourth and final goal of the night.
