Five things we learned from Newcastle's huge win away at Everton
Malick Thiaw heads Newcastle United into the lead against Everton
Malick Thiaw heads Newcastle United into the lead against Everton
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Newcastle United finally ended their Premier League away day hoodoo in some style with a thumping 4-1 win away at Everton.
The Magpies capped their first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a resounding win as a brace from Malick Thiaw and goals from Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade secured a vital three points.
It lifted United up to 11th in the table and back in touch with the European places as they backed up their 2-1 win over Manchester City with a second successive league win for the first time this season.
Here are five things we learned from today's game.
Newcastle fan chants as Pickford takes heat off Ramsdale
The pre-match chat was dominated over whether Howe would stick with Nick Pope in goal amid criticism of his recent form, or whether he would hand Aaron Ramsdale an opportunity from the start.
That decision was made easy for Howe when Pope did not travel to Merseyside after picking up an injury, meaning Ramsdale was handed his first Premier League start for Newcastle.
And while all eyes were on Ramsdale, England number one Jordan Pickford took the heat off him at the other end, as he made an error for Newcastle's second goal.
Miley's shot from inside the area was straight at Pickford but the ball inexplicably squirmed through the Toffees goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Newcastle fans, who don't need any encouragement to chant against the former Sunderland goalkeeper and they promptly started a rendition of 'Cheer up Jordan Pickford' before 'How s*** must you be? We're winning away'.
Ramsdale's night went without incident and although he wasn't really called upon, the gloves are surely his going forward.
Anthony Elanga recall
Elanga was handed his first Premier League start since October 18 when he was hooked at half-time in the 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
He has had a difficult start to life at Newcastle but when asked last month by Chronicle Live about his stuttering form, Howe said his £55million summer signing needed time to adapt to the 'Newcastle way' and he promised it would be 'worth the wait' when he does.
So on his first Premier League start in six weeks, Newcastle fans were keen to see just what the Swedish international had learned about the 'Newcastle Way' during his time out of the side.
And within a minute they got their answer. Elanga raced through on goal after latching on to Tino Livramento's through ball and forced Jordan Pickford to tip his effort wide. From the resulting corner, Miley found the head of Thiaw to put Newcastle in front.
Elanga was then involved in the third goal, chasing a hopeful ball and somehow beating Tim Iroegbunam to it and finding Woltemade with a quick pass into the box, before the Germany forward coolly controlled the ball and lifted it over Pickford.
It was his best performance in a Newcastle shirt in a Premier League and he finally affected things with his final product. Long may it continue.
Malick Thiaw breaks record
It was an incredible day in front of goal for Thiaw, who twice scored with his head at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. His first goal, heading home from a Miley corner, was recorded at just 55 seconds after the game kicked off - the fastest goal in the Premier League this season.
He then repeated the trick in the second half, thumping home a header from a delicious Lewis Hall cross to grab his second goal of the game and for the club.
Thiaw's defending has been second to none this season. He has now proven he carries an attacking threat, too.
Dan Burn's centre-half return
Burn has spent a lot of this season at left-back and he has had some highs and lows in a role that isn't his natural position.
It is easy to forget he was named Newcastle's Player of the Season at centre-half last season and he was given an opportunity at centre-half to remind everyone of his talents.
And he had a solid game, defending really well, snuffing out some dangerous attacks and setting up Miley's second goal by recycling Livramento's wayward effort on goal.
Dreadful Everton record ends at Hill Dickinson
Heading into today's game, Newcastle were winless in their last four Premier League games against Everton.
But that record did not extend to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Newcastle using their first visit to Everton's new stadium to end their dismal Premier League away record.