Alcaraz celebrates his goal at Newcastle (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
With only pride to play for with their 13th place finish in the Premier League locked in, Everton stunned Champions League-chasing Newcastle United on the final day of the season. The Blues were full value for their fifth away victory since David Moyes returned to the club as Carlos Alcaraz, playing the final game of his loan spell from Flamengo headed them ahead from Vitalii Mykolenko’s lofted cross on 65 minutes in front of the Gallowgate End.
It remains unclear whether the Argentinian will be back at Everton next season, while question marks also surround the futures of Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin who featured here while Ashley Young – from the start – and Abdoulaye Doucoure – off the bench – both made their final appearances for the club.
Jordan Pickford 9
Made a terrific double save in the first half to deny Sandro Tonali and then Alexander Isak on the rebound, the Everton captain has exuded confidence throughout and then denied Isak again from distance after the break and then tipped over the bar from Bruno Guimaraes in stoppage time.
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Ashley Young 7
Given once last run-out before he leaves the club, Everton’s oldest-ever outfield player was a match for Anthony Gordon in the first half before the ex-Blue was hooked up and was furious when referee Ton Harrington decreed he’d fouled him just outside the area, continuing to be an assured presence after the break, picking up one last booking for time-wasting for good measure.
Vitalii Mykolenko 8
Smart delivery with his lofted cross to pick out Alcaraz for the goal, he’d fashioned a similar chance early on while also sticking manfully to his defensive duties, and was cautioned late on.
Jake O’Brien 8
Kicked and headed everything that came his way, after a fledgling partnership with the now injured Jarrad Branthwaite, he started off alongside Keane in sold fashion, reading the game well.
Michael Keane 7
Back in the starting line-up for his second consecutive away game, he defended heroically enough ahead of any announcement on whether this is his final Everton outing.
Idrissa Gueye 8
Almost set Everton on their way with a marauding run early on, he was an energetic presence in the engine room but picked up the first booking of the day for a foul on Tino Livramento, the Blues could really do with his experience next season.
James Garner 7
Thundered in a shot that brought the best out of Pope and although a couple of deliveries into the box could have been better, he was a dogged performer throughout.
Jack Harrison 7
Starting ahead of Dwight McNeil on the right wing for the second straight away game, he’s put in a real shift, but his deliveries lacked the same kind of quality.
Carlos Alcaraz 9
Eye-catching display in the final game of his loan spell, in and around the visitors’ best moves, he had already had a headed effort turned away for a corner by Nick Pope and a free-kick that tested the home keeper before he nodded Everton ahead.
Iliman Ndiaye 7
Showed Jacob Murphy a clean pair of heels with a mazy dribble but needed to be producing more magic moments like that, although his intelligent pass to Mykolenko started the move for the goal.
Beto 7
Bullied Sven Botman in a battle of the big men, he looked up for this one and was a physical presence that continued to torment the home defence, but perhaps should have done better with a late chance that went wide on his left foot, moments before he left the field.
Substitutes
Dwight McNeil (on 75 for Ndiaye) 7
Came on in his more familiar left wing role.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (on 75 for Alcaraz) 7
Lively final outing off the bench.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (on 88 for Beto)
Late cameo, he should have marked it with a stoppage time goal but fired straight at Nick Pope, will we see him in a royal blue jersey again?