Everton 0-2 Newcastle: Outstanding NUFC end 11-game drought as Wilson runs riot

Now THAT was more like it!

After eleven games without a win, an outstanding display full of energy, pressing, fight and quality in the final third saw us pull off a shock 0-2 win at Goodison Park.

The goals came via that man Callum Wilson, who not only lead the line superbly but fired past Jordan Pickford twice, with one a perfectly weighted glancing header and the other an emphatic finish at the end of a 90th minute counter.

He was the stand out player and MOTM, but we were brilliant all over the pitch, with Almiron everywhere, Hayden a colossus in midfield, Fraser a menace, Manquillo rock solid, Schar monstrous at the back and Lewis much improved, too.

Hats off to Bruce for FINALLY going with four at the back and to Graeme Jones too – the new assistant who appears to have had an immediate impact on the players!

The win sends us NINE clear of the drop zone and up to 22 points, giving us a huge lift ahead of next week’s clash with Crystal Palace.

Bruce made only one change, bringing Manquillo in for Murphy, however the formation had changed, with us moving back to a four-man defence as Hayden pushed up into a midfield role in front of Lascelles and Schar:

It was a mixed first five minutes. In one sense we were given them too much room down their left and saw Darlow make a nervy start – flapping at a few crosses and getting nowhere near one that Mina headed over.

That said, we were looking a bit hungrier to both win the ball back and get it forward when we did, with the 4-2-3-1 formation and improved pressing giving us better spells of possession in the Everton half.

Another free header came and went for Mina, however it was us who came closest 25 minutes in, with some sharp link up play between Almiron, Hendrick and Wilson ending in a deflected Shelvey shot that went just inches wide of Pickford’s far post.

One concern was the fact Lascelles and Shelvey had both picked up early yellow cards, leaving both walking a tightrope with well over an hour left to play.

Callum Wilson looked razor sharp from the off and almost found his 50th Premier League goal, heading a brilliant Fraser corner off the bar. It looked to be going in but highlights showed Pickford got an all important touch to tip it onto the woodwork.

Pressing higher up the pitch was a risk/reward approach, but it saw us look far more present in the game and anything but the passive side that folded from the off in our last away game at Aston Villa.

More great link up play followed. Wilson was central to it and was hacked down on the edge of the box after a sweeping counter involving Shelvey, Fraser and Lewis ended with our £20m striker being tripped by Keane after a smart turn fooled him. The free-kick was wasted as Shelvey, who floated it over as he always tends to, however we were easily the better side and playing as well as we have under Steve Bruce. Who would’ve thought a 4-2-3-1 formation with Almiron in his best position would = better football!

That said, Everton were making a habit of finding space in the box the odd time they broke forward, allowing Rodriguez a shot on goal which Darlow palmed clear and a Richarlison effort that flew well wide.

The half-time whistle arrived and it’s fair to say that was probably one of the best first halves we’ve seen under Steve Bruce. No goal to show for it, but for once there were genuine reasons to be hopeful and happy with our performance.

The second half kicked off and it was noticeable we were sitting five yards deeper and not pressing with quite the same intensity, with Lascelles forced off with a knock on the 55th minute and replaced by Ciaran Clark.

A blow to what had been a steady defensive showing up until now, however the first big opening of the second half came our way soon after…and what a chance it was.

Wilson held it up, Almiron broke into the Everton half and got it wide to Fraser, who delivered a brilliant ball across the box to his ex-Bournemouth partner. He’d been razor sharp until now, but Wilson dragged his shot wide, missing a HUGE chance to finish off what was a cutting counter attack.

A bad miss, but another promising sign nonetheless – and that trend continued as we kept up the pressure and grew into the second half after Everton’s initial spell of possession.

The front three were linking well and causing Everton havoc, and they were then joined by Allan Saint-Maximin with just under 25 minutes remaining.

There was a newfound confidence and belief about us. Our pressing and competitiveness in all areas of the field was one clear positive, but our passing, decision making and much improved composure on the ball was there for all to see – we just needed a goal to show for it!

Thankfully, that arrived on the 73rd minute mark and it was that man Callum Wilson!

After working hard to force another corner, Shelvey’s whipped cross was met by a brilliant glancing header from Callum Wilson which flew into the far corner past a sprawling Jordan Pickford. A superb finish and a 1-0 lead we thoroughly deserved!

The key now was for us to keep pressing and maintain that level of energy, composure and threat on the break that kept Everton quiet up until now.

As you’d expect, Everton upped their urgency and pushed up the field, but we restricted them to hopeful crosses in the box and shots from range up until the 86th minute mark – where Wilson was presented with a chance to kill the game.

After Almiron slipped a lovely reverse pass in behind, Wilson rounded Pickford and saw his shot from a tight angle come back off the post! Brilliant combination play from arguably our two best players today, but would it be a moment we live to regret?

The answer was no, with us not only surviving five minutes of added time but scoring another through Wilson to pull off a MASSIVE 2-0 win over Everton.

Some clever play between ASM and Lewis and a good assist from the latter to give Wilson the chance to bury the game and bag that second goal his display thoroughly deserved!

Nine clear of the bottom three and a performance FULL of everything we’ve been asking for in recent months.

The Graeme Jones effect or the result of Bruce finally picking a system that suits our players? Who knows, but how nice it was to actually enjoy watching us play with energy, ideas, passion and confidence!

Let’s hope we can learn from this, grow in confidence and kick on now when Crystal Palace come to town on Tuesday!

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

110 thoughts on “Everton 0-2 Newcastle: Outstanding NUFC end 11-game drought as Wilson runs riot

  1. Sharpy17: Kim – He was just liking posted & a round of applause caption – but it’s the first time ever at a time we are looking to loan him – my home school maths ain’t great to I may be putting 2 n 2 together like ?

    Sounds like he’s coming mate if he’s doing that.

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  2. Stu, So you are saying be shouldn’t be looking at the bigger picture regards mutations and economic fall out if ALL countries are not as vaccinated as quickly as us for instance ?

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  3. Stuart79: I’m also not sure how a poorer UK will be a positive to the developing world. The longer we take to secure the health of our citizens the poorer we become.

    I’d be interested to know why you think the UK will get poorer. It sounds like more neoliberal scare-mongering to me.

    Or have you come to your senses? Do you mean that because the government is so incompetent and corrupt that it will continue to sell off the administration of the country to private enterprise and their upper crust mates? Is it because the ‘free market’ has been invited to run things so that wealth will continue to be channeled to those that already have money, leaving those at the bottom to deal with austerity measures?

    I’d be very interested to see the reasoning behind this statement.

      (Quote)

  4. It’s looking like we might be bringing in Choudrey but letting Longstaff go to Watford? What’s the point in that?

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  5. Stuart79:
    It’s looking like we might be bringing in Choudrey but letting Longstaff go to Watford? What’s the point in that?

    Stu – Watford have signed Gosling mate so I reckon Choundry will come in today.

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  6. Choudery is only a slight upgrade on Hendrick. I’m not that keen on him. Rodgers isn’t either.
    Eric what I was suggesting is Jones is used to working with players for only a few days. It’s what he’s always done with Belgium. How long Bruce is going to take credit for his obvious replacement is another matter.

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  7. Is it just me or is Nicola Sturgeon annoying? It doesn’t matter what the uk government do she goes one further. It’s laughable now.

    Why can’t we have a vote on whether Scotland are independent….?

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  8. @Matt_Law_DT
    · 1m
    I’m told Billy Gilmour will NOT go out on loan today. Chelsea want him involved in the first-year squad

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  9. Get French Football News
    @GFFN
    ·
    22s
    Breaking | Marseille have submitted a loan with option to buy offer to Celtic for Olivier Ntcham – player wants to make move, active negotiations. (RMC)

      (Quote)

  10. Keith Downie
    @SkySports_Keith
    ·
    57s
    Steve Bruce on potential of Matt Ritchie to Bournemouth:
    “That one is up in the air. We will see where we are later in the day with that one. Matt is well thought of here but he’s been a bit frustrated. He has to understand if it doesn’t happen he gets his head down.” #NUFC

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  11. Georgio – it wasn’t Eric mate it was me.

    International football is vastly different to club football, and he was just the coach there too, working under Martinez. He was there 2016-2018 so not long and not too recently. He’s managed Luton and coached at Bmth since then.

    I’m sure the lad will help & make a difference. But if he could single-handedly turn a team round the way you are crediting with, he wouldn’t be managing Luton or coaching at Bmth or Newcastle mate, he’d be at Europe’s elite.

    I’m sure he’ll have done some work with the players in the 2 days he had, but he’ll still be getting his head round the club, colleagues and infrastructure. He’ll be learning about the players and what Bruce wants from them – coz like it or not he’s still the manager & Jones will have to work to his remit.

    Bringing Jones in will make a difference but it won’t transform us into a top 6 side. Bruce is still in charge and the buck stops with him – win, lose or draw.

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  12. kimtoon:
    Keith Downie
    @SkySports_Keith
    ·
    57s
    Steve Bruce on potential of Matt Ritchie to Bournemouth:
    “That one is up in the air. We will see where we are later in the day with that one. Matt is well thought of here but he’s been a bit frustrated. He has to understand if it doesn’t happen he gets his head down.” #NUFC

    Kim – I think that hinges on Choundry or it feels that way to me – might be making something out of nothing though.

    SSN saying Ritchie stays this window though. They’ve also just said we are after Joe Willock from Arsenal.

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  13. Sharpy17: Kim – I think that hinges on Choundry or it feels that way to me – might be making something out of nothing though.

    SSN saying Ritchie stays this window though.They’ve also just said we are after Joe Willock from Arsenal.

    Yeah just seen that mate

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  14. Joe Willock and Choudrey the two he wants in. Telegraph says 50/50 as to whether we bring anyone in…

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  15. Stuart79:
    Joe Willock and Choudrey the two he wants in. Telegraph says 50/50 as to whether we bring anyone in…

    Stu – Willock looks the most promising of the 2.
    Choundry will depend on Leicester getting Chalobah from Watford I reckon. Whether Choundry coming in impacts Ritchie though ??‍♂️

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  16. This transfer window is hilarious. They are desperately trying to big up Liverpool signing a championship CB and loaning another from Schalke ?.

    There is nowt happening at all today!!.

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  17. Choundry is a DCM and probably cover for Hayden if he’s out or moved back to CB. But I think Hendrick could cover that position if needed – he did in the 2nd half against Leeds and did ok.

    Willock is move of a box to box creative midfielder and definitely the one most needed of the 2.

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  18. Who is that silver haired Scottish bloke on about transfers? Like Scots know anything about football!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (apart from Ferguson and Shankley 🙂 ) Hansen was good apart from the one comment he made that is always thrown in his face. Strachen is funny, if you can understand him through his mumbles.

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  19. Sharpy – maybe I was jumping the gun on Jones but I do think he’s been brought in to succeed Bruce and he was definitely influencing the game at everton.

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  20. Ciaran Kelly
    @CiaranKelly__
    ·
    1m
    DeAndre Yedlin’s move to Galatasaray has been complicated slightly by tax issues. Lee Charnley has been notified. Concerns over language used in contract and Turkish club’s take on US tax laws. Alternative is #nufc being asked to cover potential tax liability issues. Not done yet

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  21. georgio:
    Sharpy – maybe I was jumping the gun on Jones but I do think he’s been brought in to succeed Bruce and he was definitely influencing the game at everton.

    Aye agree on that mate

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  22. It was mentioned on bbc north news tonight so that’s it. One loan signing and Yedlin gone. Wow… ??.

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  23. I see this new South African variant is now what the media and government are using to hold us back from a normal life. All vaccines work against it, albeit at a lower efficacy. Some say 60%. It’s also worth pointing out that before any of these vaccines were produced they would have been delighted with 60% efficacy. Now it’s a disaster and listening to the media we could be heading back to square one if we don’t get a grip of this new variant.

    What a joke.

      (Quote)

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