Match ends, Everton 0, Newcastle United 2.
EvertonEverton0NewcastleNewcastle United2
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said a pressure-relieving win over Everton came from a "braver" approach crowned by Callum Wilson's double.
Bruce has endured intense criticism from Newcastle's fan base as his team lost their past five Premier League games to slip towards the relegation zone.
But after switching to a 4-4-2 diamond formation they secured their first win in 12 games, with Wilson's 50th and 51st Premier League goals helping to beat a passive Everton.
Wilson, who went close either side of the break, ended a seven-game goal drought by heading in Jonjo Shelvey's corner before adding a second in stoppage time.
Bruce was understandably delighted at the final whistle as his team moved nine points clear of the relegation zone.
"There's no disputing it - it's been very difficult," he said.
"When you're on a bad run in the Premier League it's difficult whether you're [Arsenal boss] Mikel Arteta or [former Chelsea manager] Frank Lampard.
"You have to be brave and make these decisions. We're trying to be more on the front foot and push up the pitch. That's something we want to do more. We're a lot better.
"The players have enjoyed the change, certainly by looking at that performance today. What you need is a result to go with it, so today of course everybody's happy."
Everton, who tested keeper Karl Darlow in the first half, could not find a way through Newcastle's defence and missed out on a chance to move within a point of Liverpool.
Carlo Ancelotti's side remain seventh, four points off the top four, but the Italian labelled their performance as "lazy and slow".
"The spirit was missing. I was surprised," he added. "We have good quality but you can only show that if you show the spirit. Without spirit there is no quality."
Wilson sparkles as Newcastle end wretched run
Bruce has borne the brunt of fans' frustrations for the past two months as Newcastle dwindled towards what looked like a scrap for survival.
But he has always maintained his side are capable of turning the corner once they got Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles back from coronavirus problems, and Ryan Fraser from injury.
There has been criticism of his formations and team selection too, but, in a week when Bruce added Bournemouth coach Graeme Jones to his staff, Wilson's return to form and a new formation offered supporters much-needed hope.
There were signs of improvement in the second half of their midweek defeat by Leeds, but, with Miguel Almiron at the tip of the diamond and Wilson and Fraser further forward, this was Newcastle's best display for months.
Wilson, often isolated in previous matches, got better support and, although starting slightly to the right, he looked dangerous from the outset.
Shelvey had already gone close with a deflected shot when Wilson drew a fine stop from Pickford with a header from Fraser's corner. Further good link-up play from Wilson led to a free-kick where Shelvey could not hit the target.
But with a better balance in midfield and a firm defence, Bruce bellowed at his players from the sidelines as he sensed a positive result.
That came when Wilson nodded in his ninth of the season to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Although he wasted a great chance to make it 2-0 when he rounded Pickford and hit a post, he made up for that error with a 10th goal of the season by firing in unmarked.
The only disappointment for Bruce was a second-half injury to captain Lascelles, who came off the pitch to be replaced by Ciaran Clark with a hamstring injury.
Everton's European challenge stutters
Ancelotti spoke on Friday about how his team are playing to their strengths this season by being solid in defence and combining the passing range of James Rodriguez with their aerial prowess.
But their more direct approach and a lack of midfield control showed against an often superior Newcastle side, even if Abdoulaye Doucoure, Alex Iwobi and Gylfi Sigurdsson, on his 300th Premier League appearance, were back in the side.
"We were lazy, we were slow," Ancelotti said. "We were not focused.
"We conceded corners to them. We didn't win duels, second balls. The game is also about winning duels and second balls, avoiding corners and throw-ins. We were not on the pitch today."
Everton took advantage of their best assets early on when Yerry Mina headed over from Rodriguez's cross, with Darlow taking out the Colombia defender as he struggled to meet the centre.
Although there were chances for Rodriguez, who had a shot saved by Darlow despite suspicions of a handball by Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the build-up, and Richarlison skewed wide, having hit the target with an earlier effort, they failed to dominate their opponents.
Pickford, who stayed in the side following his error against Leicester, repaid the faith Ancelotti had shown in him by keeping out Wilson's first-half header.
But he could do little about the opening goal as it sailed to Wilson, who was unchallenged at the back post.
Everton began to leave gaps as they searched for an equaliser, but Wilson, who was supported well by Fraser and his replacement Saint-Maximin, continued to cause problems for a Everton defence who had been resolute in recent matches.
A second defeat in nine league games is not terminal, but it leaves Ancelotti with much to consider as he attempts to mount a European challenge which has stuttered this week.
Newcastle continue second-half improvement
- Everton have lost four home league games this season, the most in a campaign for manager Carlo Ancelotti since 2007-08 with AC Milan (also four).
- This was Newcastle's first Premier League double over Everton since 2001-02, and their first league victory at Goodison Park since September 2010.
- 81% of Newcastle's league goals this season have come in the second half (17/21), a higher ratio than any other side.
- Callum Wilson's opener was his 50th Premier League goal (145th appearance). He has only scored more against West Ham (8) in the competition than against Everton (6).
- Wilson has been involved in 67% of Newcastle's 21 league goals this season, scoring 10 and assisting four.
- Jonjo Shelvey's assist for Newcastle's opener was his first goal involvement in 13 league appearances this season. He led the way for goals & assists for the Magpies last term (8).
- Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson made his 300th Premier League appearance, the second Icelandic player to reach the milestone after Hermann Hreidarsson (332).
What next?
Newcastle host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday, while Everton travel to Leeds United on Wednesday.
Player of the match
WilsonCallum Wilson
with an average of 8.81
Everton
Avg
- Squad number19Player nameRodríguezAverage rating
4.37
- Squad number21Player nameAndré GomesAverage rating
3.91
- Squad number9Player nameCalvert-LewinAverage rating
3.90
- Squad number5Player nameKeaneAverage rating
3.83
- Squad number23Player nameColemanAverage rating
3.78
- Squad number13Player nameMinaAverage rating
3.75
- Squad number16Player nameDoucouréAverage rating
3.74
- Squad number12Player nameDigneAverage rating
3.72
- Squad number7Player nameRicharlisonAverage rating
3.67
- Squad number10Player nameG SigurdssonAverage rating
3.62
- Squad number17Player nameIwobiAverage rating
3.47
- Squad number1Player namePickfordAverage rating
3.27
Newcastle United
Avg
- Squad number13Player nameWilsonAverage rating
8.81
- Squad number24Player nameAlmirónAverage rating
8.07
- Squad number10Player nameSaint-MaximinAverage rating
7.59
- Squad number26Player nameDarlowAverage rating
7.55
- Squad number15Player nameLewisAverage rating
7.51
- Squad number14Player nameHaydenAverage rating
7.49
- Squad number19Player nameManquilloAverage rating
7.45
- Squad number5Player nameSchärAverage rating
7.40
- Squad number8Player nameShelveyAverage rating
7.40
- Squad number21Player nameFraserAverage rating
7.38
- Squad number2Player nameClarkAverage rating
7.23
- Squad number6Player nameLascellesAverage rating
7.06
- Squad number16Player nameHendrickAverage rating
6.99
Line-ups
Everton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Pickford
- 23Coleman
- 13Mina
- 5KeaneBooked at 61mins
- 12Digne
- 16Doucouré
- 10G SigurdssonBooked at 33mins
- 17IwobiSubstituted forAndré Gomesat 63'minutes
- 19RodríguezBooked at 79mins
- 7Richarlison
- 9Calvert-Lewin
Substitutes
- 2Kenny
- 4Holgate
- 21André Gomes
- 22Godfrey
- 24Gordon
- 26Davies
- 31Neves Virgínia
- 33Olsen
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 26DarlowBooked at 84mins
- 19Manquillo
- 6LascellesBooked at 4minsSubstituted forClarkat 54'minutes
- 5Schär
- 15Lewis
- 16HendrickBooked at 88mins
- 14Hayden
- 24Almirón
- 8ShelveyBooked at 21mins
- 13Wilson
- 21FraserSubstituted forSaint-Maximinat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Dubravka
- 2Clark
- 4M Longstaff
- 7Carroll
- 9Joelinton
- 10Saint-Maximin
- 12Gayle
- 17Krafth
- 57Anderson
- Referee:
- Stuart Attwell
Match Stats
Home TeamEvertonAway TeamNewcastle
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away12
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away6
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Everton 0, Newcastle United 2.
Goal!
Goal! Everton 0, Newcastle United 2. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jamal Lewis following a fast break.
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Attempt missed. Richarlison (Everton) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by James Rodríguez with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Everton. Conceded by Jeff Hendrick.
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Attempt missed. Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
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Foul by Michael Keane (Everton).
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Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Offside, Everton. Séamus Coleman tries a through ball, but James Rodríguez is caught offside.
Booking
Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Richarlison (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United).
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Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Yerry Mina.
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Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) hits the left post with a left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left. Assisted by Miguel Almirón with a through ball.
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Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Michael Keane.
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Foul by Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton).
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Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Karl Darlow (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card.
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Attempt missed. Lucas Digne (Everton) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
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Corner, Everton. Conceded by Isaac Hayden.
- A huge day of matches in the Premier League on Saturday, all the goals and highlights are streaming now on BBC iPlayer
Comments
Join the conversation
Wilson was top drawer.
If Everton isn’t twinned with Tottingham it should be!
I do hope Mina got a pretend ice pack put on his pretend injury…..I think players sometimes forget these matches are filmed from every angle and watched by millions of people…. Embarrassing
Has no clue
Tiny arms and no geometrics
Everton never really in it. Mid table on the horizon.
Looks like the new coach has had an impact
Everton were abysmal- what was the game plan - obviously in a false position in the league
Newcastle did a number on us and deserved the win.
Carlo's tactics in the 2nd half were abysmal, no creativity, no effort and no effect.
With time and new players change will happen.
Bubble well and truly burst but it was a good dream.
Congratulations Newcastle