On January 9th, Everton sacked manager Sean Dyche with the team in 16th place and only one point above the relegation zone after only winning one of their previous 11 games. Fast forward to the final game of the season and Everton have cemented 13th place but were incredibly 20 points clear of the relegated teams after the appointment of David Moyes.
With 13th guaranteed, this final game against Newcastle had no bearing for the boys in blue but it was a critical match for the barcodes as they were looking to end up in the Champions League spots. Depending on results, they could have ended up from 3rd to 7th.
With the treatment room getting full, David Moyes had to shuffle his pack. Michael Keane started, replacing the injured Jarrad Branthwaite. In midfield, Carlos Alcaraz came in for Abdoulaye Doucoure, who will leave the club. Jack Harrison replaced Dwight McNeil who dropped to the bench.
This could be the big farewell for many as ten of the 20-player squad named at Newcastle were either leaving after this match or on deals currently due to expire this summer.
The big news for Newcastle was the return of Alexander Isaak who was struggling to be fit. He replaced Callum Wilson who was on the bench.
A raucous crowd of Geordies welcomed the sides into the sunny St. James’ Park. The playing of The Beatles seemed out of place with Everton in town but that did not lessen the noise. Jordan Pickford won the toss and got his first dig in by switching sides and forcing Newcastle into attacking the Gallowgate. Tony Harrington was the man in the middle who got the match underway.
Jacob Murphy fizzed an early ball into the box but Keane was there to block it as Newcastle were pressing early. Anthony Gordon took the first shot but it was miles over the bar. Everton were well drilled in their shape as Newcastle struggled to break them down.
Everton’s first chance fell to Ndiaye but his shot was blocked. Ndiaye then broke forward but Alcaraz fluffed his lines and shot well wide. The Toffees were growing in confidence and a quick outlet to Beto forced a corner for the Blues but it was wasted.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Everton’s first free kick was lined up by Alcaraz but it was safely taken by Nick Pope. He then had a more difficult time when James Garner shot low to the goalie’s left. A quick counter attack forced Gueye to get a yellow card as he took down the charging Barnes. It was then Barnes at the back post who could not get the ball under control as Pickford pounced on the loose ball.
Pickford had tried to release the long ball on a couple of occasions with little success. The England number one was then forced into two good saves from Tonali and then Isaak. Pickford looked up for it as he looked determined to spoil the Toon party.
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Anthony Gordon was up to his old tricks as he feigned a trip when he went past Ashley Young who was livid with the free kick call. Newcastle were given successive corners. Sven Botman needed the header to be touched over the bar by Pickford to deny the goal. This was followed up by a foot save at the corner post. Fabian Schär was given a yellow card for pulling back Alcaraz.
Everton’s first real chance was delivered by Alcaraz who headed the Mykolenko corner but Pope made a spectacular save. Beto then headed the ball over the bar. Ndiaye then tried to take on the whole Newcastle team but eventually had the ball taken away. The one minute of extra time quickly dissipated and the half ended with the teams locked at nil-nil.
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Anthony Gordon was replaced at half time with Joe Willock. Everton kicked off and hoped to keep the barcodes at bay. A great move by Iliman Ndiaye set up Harrison who whipped in a cross that appeared to strike the arm of Livramento. No call from the ref and VAR somehow confirmed the call. Everton were looking lively.
The tension in the stadium was obvious as news from around the grounds filtered into the stadium. Charly Alcaraz drove forward and forced another great save from Pope. The resulting corner deflected and James Garner could not get good contact with his head and the chance went begging.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
A nice ball from Gueye was met by Harrison but his attempt was neither a shot or a cross. Newcastle pushed for a goal and when Livramento delivered a ball across the goal, Barnes could not stretch enough to make good contact and Pickford vacuumed it up. He then punched away a dangerous cross from Barnes.
Eddie Howe had seen enough and brought on Trippier in place of Botman as Iliman Ndiaye received treatment. Dwight McNeil was getting ready to come on as Ndiaye reversed the ball to Mykolenko who delivered a beautiful cross which was met with power by Alcaraz who directed his header into the corner of the net. Newcastle had dropped out of the Champions League places.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Newcastle were frantic as they streamed forward. Isaak was denied by Pickford on a long shot and then followed it up with a controlled catch on a poor cross. Beto looked like he was running out of gas as his shot was weak. Everton were defending deeper and hoping to counter attack.
Callum Wilson was brought on to replace Jacob Murphy as Newcastle moved to a 4-4-2. After Harrison delivered a poor cross, he didn’t track back but was saved by O’Brien who intercepted a pass to Wilson.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Harvey Barnes was all alone 10 yards out but O’Brien was again in the way. Seconds later, a corner landed on the foot of Isaak but the striker could not keep his volley down. David Moyes made a double change with Alcaraz and Ndiaye coming on for Doucoure and McNeil.
Ashley Young was booked for time wasting as Newcastle streamed forward. Manchester United had taken the lead at Old Trafford which meant that Newcastle had moved back into fifth. Chanpions League was back on! Fabian Schar then drilled a ball goalward but it was just wide.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Scott Llewellyn | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Harvey Barnes then drove forward and was taken down by Mykolenko which earned the Ukrainian a yellow. McNeil also was cautioned on the play. Trippier delivered the free kick but his shot curled wide of the post.
A poor touch by Burns gave Beto a chance to take a shot which went narrowly wide of the post. It was his last involvement as he was replaced by Calvert Lewin. Howe also made a change and threw on a third strike with Osula coming on. As that happened, United had scored a second so the Champions League spot was going to Newcastle.
Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Six minutes of added time was required as the Geordies celebrated. Newcastle were pushing and when Everton counter attacked Calvert Lewin had two chances but could not get the goal to seal the victory. Schar was then denied twice as the defender was added to the frontline. That was the final chance as the whistle was blown and the victory was secured.
Everton Player of the Match: Jordan Pickford: Not for the first time, Pickford has risen to the occasion as his personal vendetta against Newcastle continued. In his earlier days he sometimes let his emotional connection to this fixture distract him but that was not the case today. After Sunderland’s win on Saturday, the Mackem did everything he could to deny a Champions League spot to Newcastle by denying them victory but Man United had won. Pickford was focused, determined and made several important saves and controlled his box throughout the match.
As the final whistle blew, Everton finished their season with a very good victory over a strong Newcastle side. A season that has to be seen as one of dramatic change and a growing optimism for the future of the team. The new stadium was going to open but the departure of Moshiri, the arrival of Dan Friedkin and the return of David Moyes were all surprises that have turned the tide. Before the turn of the year, the Mersey tide was going out. As the year ends, the tide is now rising for the boys from the royal blue Mersey.
Beto had another solid game and looked to be working hard on his holdup play and is starting to embrace the lone striker role. With more opportunities to play and the switch in manager, the Portuguese striker has made a good argument for Everton to keep him in the squad next year. He is a workhorse and has a passion for the team. I would keep him and get rid of the fragile Calvert Lewin who had a chance to seal the victory but could not finish.
Iliman Ndiaye had another excellent match and his work alongside Alcaraz showed Evertonians what could be on offer next year. Their ball control and vision allowed the team to keep control in a tight match and also be the conduit for our best attacking play. Keeping Alcaraz should be a no-brainer and my hope is that his signature is on a permanent contract in the next few days!