Everton secured a 3-0 victory at home against a fatigued Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday night, successfully escaping the relegation zone.
In a match marked by a lack of quality and marred by errors, both teams, previously resilient in challenging circumstances, produced a contest that left much to be desired. The outcome was determined by two significant mistakes, with Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier gifting two goals to Everton before Beto completed the scoring off the bench.
The unimpressive win on Thursday propelled Everton to 17th place, surpassing Luton Town. Without the ten-point deduction, the Toffees would find themselves in the top half of the table, positioned above Chelsea.
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The match began with Everton showing urgency, unleashing six shots in the first eight minutes. Although these attempts were off target, Martin Dubravka, standing in for the injured Nick Pope, had to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin twice from close range.
Despite Everton’s early pressure, Calvert-Lewin missed a golden opportunity towards the end of the first half, awkwardly sending his volley over the bar from inside Newcastle’s six-yard box.
Newcastle also struggled to convert their sporadic goal-scoring chances, with former Everton player Anthony Gordon squandering opportunities upon his return to Merseyside.
The turning point came in the second half when Trippier’s performance deteriorated, leading to two costly turnovers. Dwight McNeil broke the deadlock in the 18th effort of the match, scoring from the top of the box. McNeil then assisted Abdoulaye Doucoure in the 86th minute, doubling the hosts’ lead.
Newcastle, grappling with injuries, couldn’t withstand Everton’s relentless pressure. Beto, coming off the bench, capitalized on the tired opposition, securing three points for Everton in the sixth minute of stoppage time, finally showcasing their cutting edge.