Everton suffered another damaging defeat made worse by a second consecutive collapse at Goodison Park.
The Blues started well but once Newcastle United took the lead through Callum Wilson, leaving the Premier League’s worst attack needing to breakdown its strongest defence, it was always set to be an uphill struggle.
As the dust settles on another troubling performance, here are some moments missed and talking points beyond the headlines.
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Boyhood Blue celebrates his winning return
Anthony Gordon was recorded pumping his arms in celebration as he walked down the Goodison Park tunnel. It was a boisterous response to the rout of his boyhood club and came seconds after he had left the pitch sheltered from boos by the towering figure of his teammate Dan Burn - the Newcastle defender he had rankled with in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park. After the game Gordon shared a club photo of celebrations in the dressing room - at which he was the centre of. It marked the end of a game that proved so comfortable for the away side that Eddie Howe was able to bring Gordon on. His introduction could have been an inflammatory gesture that reinvigorated the home crowd had the game been tight.
Kirkdale-born Gordon was booed onto the pitch during the warm-up, which he completed in front of the away supporters. Whether he would have been introduced had Everton stayed in the game is open to question but the reality was that Newcastle had pulled away with such comfort that he was able to get 15 minutes without fear of it sparking an Everton recovery.
Idrissa Gueye takes aim from an unlikely spot
One of the most peculiar sights of this match came as Everton looked for inspiration from an unlikely source in front of goal. During the first half, which Everton were on top for most of, Idrissa Gueye won a free-kick just outside the Newcastle box. While the two players who started the season as Everton’s primary set-piece takers were on the two benches - Demarai Gray and Gordon - few would have expected Gueye to step up from such a prime position. The midfielder has just three goals from 161 Premier League appearances and, unsurprisingly, failed to conjure up any magic as he struck the opportunity harmlessly over.
Club captain’s programme notes amplify his absence
“Even if I don’t play tonight, I will be with the lads doing what I can to help. That’s the only way we get through this… by each and everyone one of us sticking together. I can fully understand the disappointment of our supporters at being in a precarious position again, but we need you right behind us… You have made the difference in the past and you can do so again.” Seamus Coleman could not recover in time to make the squad against Newcastle and his presence was sorely missed again.
His message to fans came in his programme notes and his words overflowed with his leadership prowess. Frank Lampard was clear in his admiration of Coleman’s influence on and off the pitch - the three cataclysmic collapses of this season, against Brighton, Fulham and now Newcastle, have all come in Coleman’s absence.
Newcastle master the dark arts with success
This Newcastle side is an expert in the dark arts and the time-wasting from going down under soft challenges left Sean Dyche and his backroom staff fuming on the sidelines.
One of the most obvious examples saw Sean Longstaff writhing in agony after winning what was an essentially unchallenged header against the diminutive Gueye. Abdoulaye Doucoure simply looked on in bemusement. But the opportunities gained to slow play and regain composure were successful. As Newcastle tried to halt Everton’s building momentum in the first half, Bruno Guimaraes went down easily and stayed on the floor. It gave Joelinton, who was struggling with a hamstring issue, an opportunity to collect himself and moments later a player who was anonymous for the first 30 minutes of the game created the breakthrough goal.
England’s number one showcases talent even in defeat
Even in a heavy defeat Jordan Pickford provided evidence to back up his credentials as England number one. Taunted by the away supporters for his Sunderland background the travelling fans made great play of calling for their own goalkeeper to take the prized spot for the national team. But Pickford’s fingertips prevented this scoreline from being even more damaging - while Pope allowed Dwight McNeil’s tame corner to slip past him.
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