The Opposition's Local Media Match Reports

[jaspercabbage]

Gerard,the twinkle-toed flanker...

As cockney rhyming slang goes, that is a bit cumbersome, and will never catch on.

 

[toffeejack]

think they're being a bit harsh about the demonstration of the gap between prem and championship tbh. we'll in the top quarter of the prem, over half of the league is on a much lower level, but anyone can beat anyone if you're good enough.

 

[davek]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/norwich_city_1_everton_1_1_4346406

Norwich City 1 Everton 1

14:40 12 December 2015


Wes Hoolahan bundled home Ryan Bennett’s towering header two minutes after the interval following Romelu Lukaku’s eighth goal in his last seven games prior to the break.

The Toffees should have been out of sight by that stage, with Declan Rudd again, impressive but Cameron Jerome spurned a gilt-edged chance for a priceless win when he thumped over from barely seven yards in the second period.

Neil made four changes to the line up that lost 2-0 at Watford. Captain Russell Martin returned in place of Bennett to partner Seb Bassong. Gary O’Neil and Hoolahan were preferred to Graham Dorrans and Jonny Howson in midfield while Jerome was the lone frontman as Lewis Grabban dropped to the bench.

Roberto Martinez made one change to his Everton starting roster with fit-again England international Leighton Baines in for Brendan Galloway for his first Premier League start since a long-term ankle injury lay-off.

Everton’s first threat on the counter had Norwich’s backline desperately back-pedalling to halt Gerard Deulofeu, before the attacking midfielder was eventually thwarted by Bassong.

Norwich produced a slick bout of short passing which freed Hoolahan but Tim Howard grasped his cross as Jerome lurked.

O’Neil’s vision freed Nathan Redmond but he lashed over from the angle of the six yard box in a positive sign of intent from Neil’s men.

Alex Tettey then sparked another raid that ended with the Norwegian whipping over a right-footed shot from the edge of the 18 yard box.

Everton dangerman Lukaku miscued an instinctive low strike on his left after Andre Wisdom’s clearance had spiralled in his direction.

City failed to heed the early warning when the deadly Belgian notched his eighth goal in seven games with a point blank far post header back across Rudd from Deulofeu’s deep cross after Olsson was unable to decisively clear the visitors’ initial corner.

Norwich’s frailty was evident again in the immediate aftermath when Redmond’s wayward pass was pounced on by Deulofeu but Bassong held up the midfielder.

Rudd prevented further damage in the 19th minute with a sprawling stop at the edge of his box to halt Kone who had dived inside Wisdom.

The prolific Lukaku spurned a golden chance for his second in the 31st minute when he miscued a half-volley beyond Rudd’s far post from inside the Norwich six yard box - Martin’s faint flick appearing on the cross appearing to deceive the striker.

Everton continued to toy with the Canaries in the closing stages of a one-sided opening period. Baines’ rising shot thumped Rudd’s left-hand post from 16 yards after Seamus Coleman had burst clear to pick out Lukaku, who miscued his initial shot.

Rudd’s acute sense of danger again came to Norwich’s rescue in the 41st minute to deny the rampant Kone before Lukaku dragged his follow-up wide.

Everton unleashed another devastating counter in first half stoppage time with Ross Barkley sliding in Lukaku, who lined up Bassong but dragged a low left-footed shot inches wide of Rudd’s far post from 18 yards.

Neil made a half-time change with Bennett replacing Wisdom and Martin switching to right-back and it took barely two minutes for the new arrival to make his mark in Norwich’s equaliser.

Bennett’s towering knockdown from Brady’s deep corner was initially hacked off his line by Barkley but Hoolahan bundled it in from a yard out.

Everton responded with Deulofeu tricking his way past Olsson but Tom Cleverley slashed his snapshot wide from the Spaniard’s cutback.

Back came Norwich with the home crowd roaring their approval after the deference of the opening half. Redmond and Hoolahan combined before the Republic international cut inside John Stones to feed Brady but Ramiro Funes Mori bravely blocked his goalbound shot.

Everton still carried a major threat with their attacking full-backs and Norwich survived a nervy moment when Baines rolled his cross right in front of Rudd’s six yard box with no takers from the Toffees.

City switched play quickly, with the left-back out of position, but Redmond’s heavy touch with Jerome unmarked in the middle ended a move of latent promise.

Olsson’s vital block foiled Kone in the 69th minute after a sharp one, two with Lukaku cut Norwich open on the edge of their own box.

The unmarked Jerome then blazed over seconds later seven yards out from Hoolahan’s clever back heel. Tettey rumbled forward onto another set-up from Hoolahan but hammered his shot wide from long range.

Rudd rescued Norwich again in the 79th minute when he saved Barry’s shot on the turn with his chest after Kone cut inside to find the experienced midfielder.

The toiling Hoolahan made way for Howson in the 84th minute and the Yorkshireman’s dipping strike just cleared Howard’s bar in his first meaningful intervention.



• Norwich City: Rudd, Wisdom (Bennett 45), Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Redmond, O’Neil, Tettey, Brady. Hoolahan (Howson 84), Jerome. Subs (not used): Grabban, Mbokani, Dorrans, Mulumbu.



• Booking: Martin (foul on Mirallas, 90)

• Goal: Hoolahan (47)



• Everton: Howard, Baines, Mori, Stones, Coleman, Barry, Cleverley, Kone, Barkley (Gibson 75), Deulofeu (Mirallas 69), Lukaku. Subs (not used): Joel, Lennon, Naismith, Osman, Galloway.



• Goal: Lukaku (15)



• Added on time: 2 minutes / 3 minutes



• Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorks)

• Attendance: 27,027

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/E...match-report/story-28394773-detail/story.html

Everton 2 Leicester 3 – match report: Riyad Mahrez puts City top of Premier League at Christmas


By Mercury_Sport | Posted: December 19, 2015




Leicester City gave the Blue Army the perfect Christmas present as they won at Everton for the first time in 30 years to ensure they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.

Two penalties in either half from Riyad Mahrez and a third goal from Shinji Okazaki proved to be the winner after Romelu Lukaku had hit back for the Toffees after Mahrez's first penalty and then with a minute remain Kevin Mirallas set up a tense finally with the hosts' second.

Ranieri was forced to make changes to the side that beat Chelsea on Monday as influential central defender Robert Huth was suspended and central midfielder Danny Drinkwater picked up a hamstring injury.

Marcin Wasilewski and Andy King replaced them respectively.

But the City boss did make an unforced change with Shinji Okazaki replacing Leonardo Ulloa as Jamie Vardy's partner in attack.

The conditions were gloomy and wet, and the first half was just as bleak with neither side able to keep possession for any significant periods.

The conditions may have contributed to the error-prone first period but it took until City opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the half for either side to have a shot on target.

Wasilewski and Wes Morgan both produced timely blocks to deny Lukaku and Arouna Kone, while Okazaki went clear with a near post effort from Marc Albrighton's low cross.

City were struggling to get hold of the ball in attack and passes were continually going astray but they were gifted the chance to open the scoring in the 23rd minute when Ramiro Funes Mori got himself in a mess trying to defend against Okazaki and then grappled the Japan international to the ground as Okazaki advanced towards Tim Howard's goal.

Riyad Mahrez stepped up to beat Howard down to the keeper's right with a perfectly placed penalty to score his 12th goal of the season.

But the lead was short-lived when five minutes later City struggled to defend a high ball into the box and Everton worked the ball to Barkley who saw his first effort saved by Kasper Schmeichel and his second blocked on the line by the excellent King, only for Lukaku to hammer home the rebound to score for the seventh consecutive game.

The half continued in scrappy fashion but City came the closest to scoring a second when, just before half time, Wasilewski was fractionally unable to connect with Albrighton's in-swinging corner.

The first 15 minutes of the second laboured in similar fashion until City sprung to life just after the hour mark and put together their best move of the game, carving the Toffees open as Kante and Mahrez interchanged passes before the latter played in Vardy behind the Everton defence.

Vardy took the ball around Howard, who had committed himself, and went down with contact. Referee Jonathan Moss again pointed to the spot and again Mahrez beat Howard from 12 yards, but this time he sent the American the wrong way.

Less than five minutes it got even better for City as Albrighton blocked Seamus Coleman's clearance and the ball fell to Vardy who teed up Okazaki to score City's third.

It was a good job City had the third goal in the bag as in the 89th minute substitute Kevin Mirallas beat Schmeichel at his near post to set up a tense final few minutes.

Substitute Leonardo Ulloa had the chance to ease any concerns amongst the 3,000 travelling fans with a great chance in added time but Howard was able to save.

Teams:

Everton (4-2-3-1): 24 Tim Howard; 23 Seamus Coleman, 05 John Stones, 25 Ramiro Funes Mori, 03 Leighton Baines; 15 Tom Cleverley, 18 Gareth Barry; 19 Gerard Deulofeu, 20 Ross Barkley, 09 Arouna Kone; 10 Romelu Lukaku.

Subs: 01 Joel Gibbs, 04 Darron Gibson, 11 Kevin Miralles (for 09 Kone 73 mins), 12 Aaron Lennon (for 19 Deulofeu 74 mins), 17 Muhamed Besic, 21 Leon Osman, 32 Brendon Galloway.

Leicester City (4-4-1-1): 01 Kasper Schmeichel,17 Danny Simpson, 27 Marcin Wasilewski, 05 Wes Morgan, 28 Christian Fuchs, 26 Riyad Mahrez,10 Andy King, 14 N'Golo Kante, 11 Marc Albrighton, 20 Shinji Okazaki, 09 Jamie Vardy

Subs: 32 Mark Schwarzer, 02 Ritchie De Laet (for 26 Mahrez 83 mins), 19 Andrej Kramaric, 23 Leonardo Ulloa (for 09 Vardy 87 mins), 24 Nathan Dyer (for 11 Albrighton 71 mins), 29 Yohan Benalouane, 33 Gokhan Inler.

Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)

Yellow cards: Howard, Funes Mori (Everton), Wasilewski (Leicester City)



Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/E...tory-28394773-detail/story.html#ixzz3urFRPdbC
Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook

 

[davek]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/newcastle-0-1-everton-match-10651483

Newcastle 0-1 Everton match report: Magpies plunged back into bottom three after late, late Cleverley sickener

• 19:58, 26 DEC 2015
• UPDATED 21:29, 26 DEC 2015

Newcastle United suffered late agony at St James’ Park as Tom Cleverley earned a last gasp win for Everton.

The ex-Manchester United midfielder’s header means Newcastle slip back into the bottom three of the Premier League after a topsy-turvy game.

On a day when Everton dominated perhaps Newcastle would have been considered fortunate to net a point, with Rob Elliot putting in a man of the match performance.

They withstood plenty of pressure from the visitors but Newcastle also had good chances and ended up paying for a lack of killer touch in the final third.

United made a slow start to the rain-sodden contest and Everton dominated the first quarter of the match.

The Toffees were on top in the midfield battle and even when Newcastle did break in those early stages, Aleksandar Mitrovic failed to hold the ball up.

Everton had three great chances in the first half an hour. First Ross Barkley forced Elliot to save with his feet, then a Leighton Baines free-kick flew just over the bar.


And Elliot came to United’s rescue again on 28 minutes when he saved low down after another Everton attack as Romelu Lukaku broke down the right.

United, by contrast, offered very little at the other end. When they did attack, they couldn't apply a finish. A good cross from the right from Daryl Janmaat was aimed for Mitrovic but he failed to connect.

The Dutchman floated the ball in again on the half hour mark but Mitrovic’s effort was nodded wide into the Gallowgate. Moussa Sissoko clipped in a cross on 36 minutes but Gini Wijnaldum headed high and wide.

United were under the cosh for the majority of the first half and Janmaat was lucky not to be sent off.

After being cautioned for taking our Gareth Barry he later up-ended Barkley - but escaped another yellow card.

For all Everton’s superiority the Magpies went in level at the break.


During the interval a loud chorus of “Pavel is a Geordie” was belted out around St James’ Park in support of the Toon legend, who is currently in a coma after suffering a cardiac arrest this week.

Newcastle started the second half in similarly nervous fashion. Just two minutes before the hour mark Lukaku was denied again by Elliot.

Moments later the goalkeeper pushed away a low effort from Aaron Lennon as he maintained his fine form.

Newcastle produced a decent chance with 20 minutes to go as Mitrovic slipped in Perez but the Spaniard's effort whistled just wide.

A great one-two between Wijnaldum and Sissoko resulted in a left wing cross from the Frenchman but Mitrovic could only head wide with 18 minutes left.

Newcastle were starting to make chances and it took a wonderful save from Tim Howard with 16 minutes to go to deny Wijnaldum from a header after Jack Colback’s run and cross on the right.

Then two minutes later Elliot somehow got down low to deny Lukaku to his right with a save that prompted fans to chant his name.

McClaren decided to change things late in the game and introduced ex-Marseille man Florian Thauvin.

But it was Everton’s sub that made the difference when he dinked in the late corner that settled the contest.

Newcastle thought they’d survived when two late tackles from Paul Dummett then Chancel Mbemba kept out Lukaku.

However, when Gerard Deulofeu drifted the ball into the box Elliot could only punch it as far as Cleverley who sent a looping header over a crowd of defenders and into the net to win it for the visitors.

 

[ArtetaMoney]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/newcastle-0-1-everton-match-10651483

I didn't read it all but this:

However, when Gerard Deulofeu drifted the ball into the box Elliot could only punch it as far as Cleverley who sent a looping header over a crowd of defenders and into the net to win it for the visitors.

Summed it up nicely

 

[davek]

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...s-spurs-claim-point-at-goodison-a3147306.html

Everton 1 Tottenham 1: Dele Alli cancels out Aaron Lennon strike as Spurs draw at Goodison


Aaron Lennon put the brakes on Tottenham’s march up the Premier League table by forcing his old club to settle for a point at Everton.

Lennon’s 22nd-minute strike against the club who sold him last summer was enough to deny Spurs the victory, even though the visitors could celebrate a marvellous equaliser from Dele Alli in the closing seconds of the first half.

Harry Kane hit the post early on and Ben Davies struck the crossbar as Tottenham made most of the running, yet when they did create chances in open play, Spurs found Everton centre-backs John Stones and Ramon Funes Mori always alert.

This was the ninth draw in the league this term for Spurs and meant they slipped six points adrift of leaders Arsenal. If they are to mount a title challenge in the second half of the campaign, Mauricio Pochettino’s men need to be more ruthless in games like these.


Spurs made a ferocious start and were so close to taking the lead in the ninth minute when Kane, in far too much space, hit the inside of the post with an angled drive from 25 yards.

Unusually, Everton were happy to allow Tottenham to dominate possession and the home side were making little impression on the game – so it was quite a surprise when they took the lead.

Tom Cleverley’s lofted pass from midfield was directed towards Romelu Lukaku, who found space between Jan Vertonghen and Davies to head the ball back towards Lennon. The former England winger produced the perfect finish, beating Hugo Lloris at his far post from just inside the penalty area.

Lennon had spent a decade at White Hart Lane before he was sold last summer and his celebration was relatively low key.

Yet the goal inspired Lennon and three minutes later, he nutmegged Davies before finding Lukaku with a low cross. The Belgian forward turn and shot, only for his countryman Toby Alderweireld to produce a fine block.

Having stopped his team going 2-0 down, Alderweireld then created their equaliser. In first-half stoppage time, his superb aerial pass found Alli, who controlled the ball on his chest and volleyed past Tim Howard.

The same combination had produced a goal for Spurs at West Brom last month, and you had to wonder what the Everton scout watching that game had written in the report submitted to manager Roberto Martinez.

Tottenham kept control in the early stages of the second half, with Tom Carroll improving in midfield in place of the injured Mousa Dembele. Kane was denied by an excellent block from John Stones after Alli’s clever chested pass sent him on goal.

Yet when Martinez brought on Gerard Deulofeu and Muhamed Besic for Lennon and Arouna Kone, Everton had their best spell of the match. In the 79th minute, Besic’s powerful volley from the edge of the box was brilliantly pushed over by Lloris and from the corner, Ramon Funes Mori headed just wide. Then in injury time, Vertonghen twice made crucial blocks to keep out Lukaku.

 

[Huyton Layne]

Fear of a witch hunt against Everton FC

 

[davek]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...all-news/everton-2-1-manchester-city-10696878

• Everton 2-1 Manchester City: Pellegrini's plan to squash Toffees backfires
  

  • • 22:48, 6 JAN 2016

  Manuel Pellegrini almost wished away the domestic cups in his press conference ahead of this game.
  
  He pointed out the physical impossibility of playing so many games, when you are also chasing glory in the Premier League and Champions League.
  
  He really wasn't saying that the Blues are about to toss away the chance of a Wembley appearance in the League Cup, and will be similarly abject in the FA Cup at Norwich on Saturday.
  
  But the way his team played at Goodison, it looked like it!
  
  Not that his players take the whole rap, as Pellegrini was out-smarted by his opposite number Roberto Martinez, who played a canny game from the off – perhaps rumbling the City boss's plan to counter-attack them a la Sevilla.
  
  City hoped to lure the Toffees on to them, counting on their desire for a lead of a goal or two to take to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg on January 27.
  
  The plan was the for David Silva, Yaya Toure and Kevin De Bruyne to spring the trap with Sergio Aguero as the spear through the heart.
  
  But Martinez, criticised by many for his defensive naivety, relied on getting the ball up early to his danger man Romelu Lukaku, who Eliaquim Mangala will still have bad dreams about after his first game at Goodison last season.
  
  The result was that City had most of the possession, zipped the ball around pleasingly, and looked the more accomplished of the two teams – without actually doing real damage.
  
  Even when there was a sniff of a breakaway, the fact that De Bruyne and Silva were in the team rather than the quicker Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas, tended to put paid to the ambition. Perhaps the idea was to keep control for an hour and then introduce those two speedsters as Everton pushed forward with more desperation.
  
  If that was the strategy, it all fell apart just before half time.
  
  And it was more poor collective defending that brought it down upon the Blues' heads.
  
  Ross Barkley was lurking on the edge of the box unattended when a corner was swung over, and even when it fell at his feet City were slow to close down.
  
  Willy Caballero, not a favourite with City fans, is an easy man to blame, but Barkley's shot flashed at him, and it was all he could do to beat it out.
  
  The fact it went straight to Ramiro Funes Mori was not Caballero's fault – and the centre half had an easy tap-in to an empty net.
  
  Mangala went off at half time, Everton came out with their tails up, and the Blues faced a fight to stay in it for the return leg.
  
  They needed some inspiration, and it was Fernandinho who provided it, at a moment when the Blues were faffing on the edge of their box.
  
  The Brazilian took control, side-stepped and lofted a 50-yard pass to Sergio Aguero. He did superbly to lose his man and slip a pass for Navas.
  
  He had the ball long enough for everyone to remember how bad his finishing normally is – including himself – but this time he shot low and hard, left-footed under Joel Robles.
  
  They were level for just two minutes, as Gareth Barry curved in a tempting ball and Lukaku escaped Demichelis to flash a header past Caballero.
  
  Now City face Everton twice in the next three weeks – with three points at stake next week and a place in the final two weeks after that.

 

[summerisle]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...all-news/everton-2-1-manchester-city-10696878

Pretty balanced report that. Let's hope Citeh win bugger all this season.

 

[Blue Cheese]

The myth of too many games, that's why the top teams have top class coverage in every position. A 25 man squad easily copes with all competitions, it depends on the quality of the squad.

These billionaire clubs should not be moaning about too many games.

 

[davek]

...fresh off the Barking & Dagenham Post presses....

http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.c...ed_by_everton_despite_brave_showing_1_4373487

Daggers downed by Everton despite brave showing

16:57 09 January 2016

Dagenham & Redbridge can hold their heads high despite going out of the FA Cup at Everton.



The east Londoners hadn’t been expected to do much at Goodison Park, but more than held their own against their Premier League opponents.

Goals in either half proved their undoing, but Daggers can be pleased with their efforts against the Toffees where they were cheered on by 1,883 travelling fans.

John Still made just three changes for the trip to Merseyside and all of them were enforced.

James Dunne and Ayo Obileye both returned to their parent clubs after their loans expired while Justin Hoyte missed out because of a groin injury.

In their place came Nyron Nosworthy, Joe Worrall and Oliver Muldoon with the latter two making their debuts after joining the team earlier in the week.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez showed Daggers a healthy amount of respect with a strong squad that included Phil Jagielka, Kevin Mirallas and Arouna Kone.

It took less than two minutes for the hosts to register their first effort, although Steven Pienaar’s header at the back post went over when it looked easier to score.

Daggers continued to be on the back foot with Mirallas testing Mark Cousins from 20 yards after a great bit of skill to create space for the shot.

The visitors looked to be slowly growing into the game, but their progress was almost checked when Ashley Hemmings lost the ball on the half way line in the 19th minute.

Mirallas passed to Aaron Lennon who sped through on goal, but his cross to Kone sailed wide of the post.

Just over a minute later, Christian Doidge was fouled 35 yards out from goal and Joss Labadie was just narrowly over with the resulting free kick.

Dagenham had to rely on Cousins once more in the 23rd minute when Ramiro Funes Mori saw his 25-yard effort tipped over a bar for a corner that was dealt with.
And Everton’s pressure finally told in the 32nd minute when Kone headed home the game’s opener.

Hemmings had fouled Lennon out in a wide right position with the ball whipped towards the back post by Bryan Oviedo where it was met by Kone.

The visitors continued to come under pressure from the Toffees, but they were able to resist with Worrall in particular impressing in defence.

In the final minutes of the half, there was a nasty clash of heads at a corner between Funes Mori and Hemmings that resulted in the Everton defender going off.

The start of the second half followed much the same narrative as the first, with Daggers looking to soak up pressure before hitting Everton on the break.

Everton did go close to doubling their lead in the 57th minute when Kone fired a shot a Cousins’ near post, but the goalkeeper got down well to save.

Kone went close again four minutes later, narrowly failing to get on the end of a cross from Mo Besic after a quick counter.

Looking to inject some pace into the game, Daggers brought on Jodi Jones and Jamie Cureton, with the latter playing at Goodison Park for the first time in a 20-year career.

There was a nervous moments for Dagenham in the 73rd minute when Cousins dropped Oviedo’s shot at the feet of Brendan Galloway.

But the young defender could only put the follow up wide much to the relief of the visitors.

Kone seemed to be causing Daggers an awful lot of problems including putting a header from a corner just wide in the 80th minute.

And the visitors, who had put up a brave fight throughout, were finally finished when Mirallas scored from the spot five minutes from time.

The midfielder had been tripped in the box by Nosworthy before getting up the score the spot kick.

Following the goal, there was a brief stoppage in play after a domestic cat had made its way onto the pitch.

But Daggers will be hoping it is not a catastrophe when they return to league action at home to Northampton Town on Saturday.



Everton: Robles; Galloway, Jagielka, Funes Mori (Pennington 45+4), Oviedo; Gibson, Besic; Lennon (Rodriguez 90), Pienaar (Osman 77), Mirallas, Kone

Unused subs: Howard, Deulofeu, Barkley, McAleny.

Daggers: Cousins; Passley, Dikamona, Worrall, Nosworthy, Hemmings (Connors 75); Muldoon, Labadie, Raymond, Chambers (Jones 62), Doidge (Cureton 66).

Unused subs: O’Brien, McClure, Ferdinand, Widdowson.

Attendance: 30, 918 (including 1,883 Daggers fans)

Referee: Paul Tierney

 

[summerisle]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/everton-3-0-newcastle-match-10833544

Everton 3-0 Newcastle match report: Awful United defeat leaves Steve McClaren facing big questions

• 22:14, 3 FEB 2016
• UPDATED 22:15, 3 FEB 2016
• BY LEE RYDER

Read Lee Ryder's final whistle match report as Newcastle United's Premier League clash with Everton ends with another away day humbling.

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles is shown a red card against Everton
Doom and gloom is back on the agenda for Newcastle United fans after this capitulation on Merseyside.

After 14 defeats in 18 away games you have to feel sympathy for the hardcore fans who wasted their time and money to watch another top-flight farce unfold against an average Everton side.

United were supposed to return to the big Premier League stage looking refreshed after a 10-day break and with hopes of survival boosted by the arrival of Andros Townsend .


Yet they never looked like getting anything out of this fixture, and that is a massive concern.

Especially against an Everton side who had failed to win a top-flight fixture since November 21 at Goodison Park.

The Toffees had also failed to win a Premier League game since their late win on Tyneside back in December .

But while Roberto Martinez is under some pressure from Evertonians, his side barely broke into a sweat to see off Newcastle.

And it could have been a much heavier scoreline than just 3-0 had it not been for Rob Elliot and the woodwork.

Three times Everton struck the goal frame in the second half while Republic of Ireland keeper Elliot was outstanding as he kept the score down.

United players can talk about being close to getting out of trouble all they want, but they must start doing their talking on the pitch before it’s too late.

Elliot was called into action with just five minutes on the clock after he got down low to push away Tom Cleverley’s low shot.

In a low-key start to the game neither side created any clear-cut chances.

And it took a needless Chancel Mbemba foul on Romelu Lukaku to hand Everton a glimpse of goal with 21 minutes played.

The Belgian ace could only smack the ball over the top though and the scores stayed level.

Moments later though a lapse in concentration by the United defence allowed Everton to break down the left.

Cleverley was allowed to run at the Toon back four before calmly rolling the ball to Aaron Lennon with the winger clipping a low shot past Elliot.

Worryingly a number of Newcastle players appeared to be looking for somebody to blame rather than trying to rally each other.
Match Stats — Team Stats

EVERTONV.NEWCASTLE UNITED

Attack

• Attack
  Goals
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  3 100%0% 0
  Total Shots (including blocked shots)
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  18 72%28% 7
  Shots On Target
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  7 70%30% 3
  Blocked Shots
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  3 60%40% 2
  Shots from outside the box
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  9 69.2%30.8% 4
  Shots from inside the box
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  9 75%25% 3
  Shot Accuracy (excluding blocked shots)
  Everton Comparison Newcastle United
  46.7% 43.8%56.2% 60%