Our Everton jury have returned to have their say on the wins over Newcastle United and the upcoming Premier League game against Coventry City
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates after Everton's win over Newcastle United
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates after Everton's win over Newcastle United(Image: (Molly Darlington/Getty Images))
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Everton made it back-to-back victories over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday night. Just days after knocking the Magpies out of the Carabao Cup, the Blues recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Matthias Jaissle’s side.
Thierno Barry scored the only goal of the game from close-range, four minutes into the second-half. It was the forward’s eighth of the season and continued his resurgence in front of goal.
The Blues return to action tomorrow night when they take on Coventry City at home, and ahead of the game our Everton jury have returned to have their say.
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Mark McParlan
What a transformation one week can make. From despairing defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal, suddenly our season has been rejuvenated by Thursday and Monday night victories home and away against the Geordies.
It was wonderful to watch us come away with two clear results, playing confident football and having by far the best chances and creativity twice.
Thierno Barry rightly takes the headlines again with goals in both matches taking his tally for the season to eight. Barry clearly has a better knack for finding himself in the right positions and (mostly) scoring this season - we have to continue to back him and provide the service he thrives on.
Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ran the show for me. In recent weeks there had been some calls for him to be dropped, which I always laughed off - he creates all of our chances! On Monday, he created both our best first-half opportunities, for Barry and Harrison Armstrong, and he crafted the goal with his pass to Tyrique George. He looked unstoppable carrying the ball forward.
James Tarkowski of and Jarrard Branthwaite celebrate following Everton's win over Newcastle United
James Tarkowski of and Jarrard Branthwaite celebrate following Everton's win over Newcastle United(Image: (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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Fundamentally any successes we have this season are down to the strong spine of this team. Jordan Pickford pulled off some fine saves to deny Newcastle in the second half at St James’ Park, James Tarkowski is having a renaissance and looks too strong for opposition attackers.
Jarrad Branthwaite when present remains magisterial, and Jake O’Brien has rightly forced his way back into the side. In front of them, James Garner provides a reassuring presence and I was not at all surprised that stats showed Armstrong comfortably ran more than any other player on the pitch on Monday.
Moving forwards, I expect the side to deliver a similar performance to dispatch Coventry at home on Friday. Then in the League Cup, with all respect to Fleetwood, a full-strength XI in December will see us through to a League Cup semi-final. For now, the mood has shifted again.
James Kellett
In recent weeks, a sense of impending doom has surrounded Evertonians, with many worried following glum defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal.
This meant Everton’s two encounters against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League were vital in an attempt to boost morale amongst the fanbase.
The pressure was on the Toffees, and defeats in either game would have been damaging, but David Moyes’ side navigated both with style and tenacity.
In both games, we saw a free-flowing Everton side as Hayden Hackney bagged his first goal for the Blues, and Thierno Barry continued his impressive form with three goal involvements.
Moyes has faced criticism for his reluctance to change his starting XI and adopt a safe approach when facing certain opponents. Yet, when facing Newcastle, the Blues were bold in taking the game to the Toon, claiming four goals across the two matches and arguably put in one of their best displays in the first 45 minutes at St James’ Park.
David Moyes embraces Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after Everton's win over Newcastle United
David Moyes embraces Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after Everton's win over Newcastle United(Image: (George Wood/Getty Images))
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While the past two victories were very much a team effort, it was refreshing to see individuals take matches into their own hands and use their talent to push Everton to a win.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall proved to be the beating heart of the midfield, James Tarkowski remained solid and made crucial defensive contributions for his side, and Barry continued to be an attacking force.
Such displays from individuals are going to be needed if Everton want to climb the table and end their hunt for silverware.
The run-in of the 2025-26 campaign was littered with individual mistakes, which sorely cost the Blues a European spot, and such mistakes have also been present this season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton runs with the ball under pressure from Sean Steur of Newcastle United
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From this, Moyes deserves some sympathy for the Blues’ dreadful end-of-season form, but just as he can’t be blamed for his players' mistakes, his players deserve full credit for their exceptional performances.
A manager sets the tone of a football club, notably through his squad selections, tactics, and trust in his players.
Yet, Everton’s victories against Newcastle spotlighted a side with exciting individuals who can light up a football pitch, and Moyes is going to need many more performances like the ones just seen.
With the Merseyside Derby and a cup quarter-final on the horizon, key players must continue to embrace and relish these challenges if the Toffees are to achieve their ambitions.
Matches and cups are won on moments of magic, and Everton hold some magical players, but it remains to be seen if they can shine when the spotlight is fixed on them.