Wing swap
Frank Lampard was clearly keen to keep Newcastle guessing in the opening stages of Thursday's game.
Everton began the match in strong fashion at Goodison Park, looking to take the game to their opponents on the front foot in the first few minutes. And, to make sure that Eddie Howe's side were kept on their toes, interestingly the players on the wing for the Blues looked to be switching around.
Demarai Gray began on the left flank, with Alex Iwobi lining up on the right - but inside the first five minutes the pair beckoned to each other to switch around. Then, a few minutes later, the pair did the same thing to go back to their normal positions.
Perhaps they were just trying to find a way through their opponents - with Iwobi finally getting that way through in the closing minutes of the match.
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Fighting talk
Throughout the game, it was clear that Everton were up for a fight on Thursday night. In the first half, that was particularly apparent with Anthony Gordon as he was keen to let Bruno Guimaraes know that he was in a battle at Goodison.
The Blues man, playing as a No.10 behind Richarlison for this game, had a couple of clashes with the Newcastle man in the early stages of the match - without receiving a free kick as he thought he might. So, the youngster took it upon himself to leave one in on his opponent next time around - before pushing him and coming head-to-head with the Newcastle star.
A similar incident happened in the second half, with a number of players coming face-to-face as tensions look to rise. That led to Iwobi running around 20 yards over to the middle of the pitch to push an opponent away from Gordon.
Gordon fumes
It wasn't just the opposing players that Gordon was getting frustrated with, however. He did take one moment in the first half to vent his anger at a teammate too.
Everton were struggling to break down Newcastle in the final third, with the visitors getting themselves on top in the first half after what had been a strong start from Lampard's side. Because of that, the Blues were becoming a bit more frantic than necessary with their build-up play.
There was little quality on display throughout the game from both sides, but the opening 45 minutes particularly saw the hosts make too many mistakes. Overhit passes, misplaced balls and being second to every loose bit of possession was all too common.
One moment towards the end of the opening period of the match saw Ben Godfrey stride forwards with the ball, but end up losing it just before getting to the Newcastle final third. That left Gordon fuming, as he was stood in a lot of space on the left flank looking to get in behind the defence.
The winger shouted in the face of his teammate and waved his arms in frustration, as the defender rather apologetically made his way back into his position.
Referee anger
Even before the decision to send Allan off in the second half, it was fair to say that Craig Pawson was not the most popular man inside Goodison Park. The official made a number of calls throughout the match that the home crowd were not best pleased with, to say the very least.
Miguel Almiron was not cautioned for a dive in the first period of the match, before Seamus Coleman was floored on the far side of the pitch by a late challenge. That again did not receive a yellow card.
After the players were applauded down the tunnel for their first half efforts, the officials were loudly booed as they headed back to their own dressing room. The same occurred at the end of the game, with many supporters still very aggrieved that Allan had been sent off.
Post-match scenes
The full time whistle brought an out-pouring of emotion both in the stands and on the pitch. Instantly a few players dropped to the floor following their efforts, while those on the bench raced on to join the celebrations.
Richarlison sprinted back onto the pitch after his physical encounter before being substituted, running straight to jump on Seamus Coleman in front of the Gwladys Street. The captain ran straight over to the technical area after that, being congratulated by numerous substitutes as he went.
Lampard was keen to congratulate as many players as he possibly could, with his backroom staff all doing the same as fans went crazy in the stands. As the stadium emptied well after the final whistle, supporters could still be heard loud and clear - with some in the Main Stand still singing the name of Iwobi before they headed home.
