Newcastle's magnificent support can start booking their flights now…because the Magpies are heading back into Europe.
And they are surely returning to the Champions League for the first time since north east legend Bobby Robson took them on that incredible journey 20 years ago.
Two goals from the impressive Callum Wilson, and one apiece from Joelinton and sub Jacob Murphy showed the pace, power and goals threat of Eddie Howe’s confident side…and destroyed poor Everton, who now must face up the very real spectre of relegation.
Here at Goodison they displayed a strength which suggests they surely have enough to see their European quest right through to the highest stage…while the home side may have to start checking on Championship destinations.
Wilson has now scored six in his last six matches for the Magpies, and incredibly, has scored eight goals in his last six matches against Everton. And it was not hard to see why he enjoys playing the Blues so much.
Everton had pushed their opponents back from the start, and the visitors’ first real attack wasn’t until the 28th minute. Sadly for the Goodison faithful, it produced the opening goal, which turned the contest.
The home side were suckered on a counter punch rather too easily, with mistakes from Ben Godfrey and Jordan Pickford contributing to the sense of injustice, as Joelinton charged down the right.
His shot was hardly ferocious and Everton’s keeper should have done far better than to simply palm it straight at Wilson for a simple tap-in.
He looked every inch an England striker here at Goodison, and is a big reason why Newcastle are back on the European track, after a brief wobble. Contrast that with Everton, who are looking for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to save them despite being out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
In his defence he led the line impressively here, and had a goal ruled out on the stroke of half time with a marginal offside. Soon after the break his fierce shot was beaten away brilliantly by Nick Pope.
But from there, Newcastle dominated, both physically and tactically. This is a different Magpies team which had won just once in their last 10 visits here before this pulsating contest.
At times they looked stronger than the home side, and it was shown when the impressive Joe Willock muscled down the left to deliver a simple header for Joelinton.
Wilson added a third on 75 minutes with an outstanding curling top into the top corner from 20 yards, and though Dwight McNeil dragged a goal back with a corner which went straight in, Newcastle kept coming.
Substitute Alexander Isak dribbled elegantly past most of the Everton team before crossing for fellow sub Jacob Murphy to tap in, for his third goal in two games, after one goal in the previous 70 matches. It is that sort of season for this imposing Newcastle side.
