Ahead of Everton's trip to St James' Park, we look back at a classic match away against Newcastle United
Ross Barkley celebrates scoring the opening goal during the match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on March 25, 2014
Ross Barkley celebrates scoring the opening goal during the match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on March 25, 2014(Image: Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images)
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Almost a dozen years ago, Everton produced one of their outstanding away performances of the Premier League era as Roberto Martinez’s rampant side tore apart Newcastle United 3-0 at St James’ Park.
Watching back through the footage, Blues fans could be forgiven for being somewhat wistful. Home-grown hero Ross Barkley dances through the Magpies defence with a majestic 70-yard run before despatching an emphatic finish into the roof of the net at the Gallowgate End with what was one of the all-time great individual goals by any Everton player – having been privileged enough to witness it up close, when the ECHO did an article on the Blues’ goal of the decade in 2019, it was this correspondent’s choice.
As I wrote in my match report at the time: “His wonder goal was just the starter of a three-course banquet for an Everton side starved of success on the road of late. A generation ago, a gifted young midfielder used to grace St James’ Park with a combination of mazy dribbles and deft finishes.
“There was a return to those days last night as a new maestro strode purposefully more than half the length of the pitch before slotting sublimely past the keeper. Except this time the goal was not greeted with roars of jubilation from the Toon Army but stunned silence.
“It’s a dangerous game to play but the comparisons have already been made on several occasions this season. There’s more than a whiff of Paul Gascoigne about Ross Barkley.”
Throughout the move, prolific striker Romelu Lukaku can be seen screaming for the ball but he is all-smiles when the ball goes in with Barkley making a ‘hush’ gesture towards the home fans. The Belgian need have no concerns though as he is next up on the scoresheet, sliding in with an instinctive toe-poke from Gerard Deulofeu's inviting pass showing how the ‘Rom and Geri Show’ was in full swing at the time.
The Spanish winger’s twinkling toes are also evident in the third goal as he picks out Lukaku again only for the striker to unselfishly lay the ball into the path of captain Leon Osman who plants a perfectly-struck drive into the net from the edge of the area to complete the rout. En route to a club record Premier League points tally of 72, it was a night in which everything clicked for the Blues.
The dovetailing of the defensive stability carried over from David Moyes' long first tenure with the extra attacking flair brought by his successor Martinez; the Catalan’s bright young things such as Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku and a brave John Stones who heroically played on with his head bandaged after having a gash above his left eye stitched up, blending effectively with experienced campaigners such as Gareth Barry, Sylvain Distin and Osman.
Stones insisted he’d have no problem remembering Barkley’s wonder goal despite suffering a bang on the head. The Yorkshireman played over half of the match with a heavily-bandaged strapping after he was left splattered in blood following an aerial challenge with Luuk de Jong and needed several stitches.
However, he bravely played on as the Blues produced their best away display of the season to keep the pressure on Arsenal in their pursuit of a Champions League place. Stones said: “It hasn’t affected my memory of Ross’ goal. I won’t forget that.
“It was a brilliant goal for Ross. As modest as he is, he’s loving it.
“He does stuff like that on a daily basis – out of the ordinary. We’ve just been waiting for him to do that in a game.
“Once he gets off on a run you’re not stopping him, he’s a powerful guy. I’m glad he got his goal and it’s one to remember for him.”
The defender, who started the move for Barkley’s goal, added: “He works so hard and he’s reaping the benefits. He did something similar against Arsenal.
“He’s been brilliant. I can’t praise him enough for how hard he’s working for the team and that goal was a bit of success for him.”