What a night at St James’ Park and what a huge win!
A brilliant atmosphere, a Kieran Trippier masterclass, a superb debut from Matt Target and finally back-to-back wins for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
It was not only a huge victory on a night where Watford lost at West Ham and Burnley only managed a point against a poor Man Utd, but one that takes us to within a single point of Everton.
The results takes us out of the bottom three, up to 18 points and two clear of safety after 22 games, giving us a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe has made one change from our win at Elland Road, replacing the injured Paul Dummett with Aston Villa loanee Matt Targett.
Surprisingly, Bruno Guimaraes was only named on the bench – a decision that didn’t go down well with Toon fans on social media before the game – but one that was justified in the end based on the result!
The game started with us boxing Everton in with some good pressing, however we were never really able to control the game in that first half. Whether it was disjointed attacks via hopeful balls to Wood or a lack of cohesion in midfield, we weren’t quite clicking against a side who looked there for the taking.
Typically, it was them who struck first. A horrible goal to concede in more ways than one, with two deflections working in their favour before the ball cannoned in off Jamaal Lascelles.
Thankfully, the skipper made up for that unfortunate own goals just one minute later, as he rose highest from a Trippier corner and saw his header go in off Mason Holgate after the ball came back off the crossbar.
So, two own goals, but the momentum was back with us and the atmosphere inside St James’ Park picked up a few notches.
We should’ve been in the lead at the break, with Wood heading straight at Pickford, Joelinton losing his footing when the ball was cut back by Saint-Maximin and Fraser’s header blocked after a brilliant ball in from Targett.
The second half arrived and we started with a purpose about our play. We were getting higher up the pitch, upping the intensity, putting Everton on the back foot in front of the Gallowgate – and we were rewarded soon after on 56 minutes as Fraser bundled in from a Saint-Maximin cross!
The wind was in our sails and it felt like a third was coming. Everton just about hung on, then enjoyed periods of possession without ever causing us much trouble, but the win was sealed with 10 minutes on the clock.
After Fraser was chopped down after cutting inside, Kieran Trippier stepped up and curled a right-footed free kick past Pickford’s little arms and into the bottom corner. Scenes of sheer jubilation followed all around St James’ Park and it felt like we’d not only secured the win, but turned a corner.
No nervy end to the game with backs against the wall and finger nails in bits, but a comfortable end to the game that also saw Bruno Guimaraes come on to a huge reception for his first appearance in black and white.
We could’ve made it four in the end – Murphy hit the post and Saint-Maximin was unlucky not to score after some brilliant work from Guimaraes in the build up – however we came away comfortable 3-1 winners in a night full of positives on Tyneside.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Targett – Shelvey, Willock, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Darlow, Burn, Krafth, Manquillo, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Murphy, Almiron, Gayle
Next up, Aston Villa on Sunday!
HOWAY THE LADS.
What we all have to realise is that it is a **** song, with **** lyrics so if Davey thinks a bad song sung by him alone will be an anthem, then he has another think coming. It is totally shyte and I dont know why this blog is promoting it? For the charity?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Leeds are so bad from set pieces 🙂 They are letting Everton off the relegation hook FFS.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Everton bullying Leeds. Great reaction by them.
Leeds and Brentford are getting dragged into the relegation fight. Of we can pull off a win tomorrow then I see us finishing higher than those 2 and comfortably surviving..big if though
Shamrock(Quote)
I dont think I have any right to question Davey Craigs motive or intentions. I do think I can say it is a **** song though.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Leeds have been ****.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I dont know.
Has it been Everton have been good or Leeds have been ****?
If Everton can keep Calvert-Lewin fit then maybe the “Friends of Frank” can continue their Pundit orgasm about him.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
These Refs look ancient. The one at Everton/Leeds looks like he is 70. HE IS 53!!!!!!!!!! Andre Marriner is 53 and looks it, and Mike Dean is 53 also. Mike Dean has turned into Sponge Bob-Square Pants as he is the same height as he is wide. Pete Postelsthwaite (Kevin-not-my Friend) is 51. And c’mon – really, Fat Boy Moss!
I am on my high horse again about Refs because most of them are useless and cannot even Ref a European game because they are over 45.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sham – I agree mate. Moyes has been put in an impossible position really & it’s the owners who should be taking that decision out of his hands. It’s a disgrace the David’s haven’t done more already imo.
Man Utd didn’t leave it to Rangnick when it came to Greenwood, I know domestic violence is different, but I’m talking about non football related discipline & suspensions.
Moyes should take the lead if he’s turning up to training late of breaching rules he’s setting – but crimes or misrepresentation of the club – that should be the owners.
To fine him 2 weeks wages to give to animal charities is just a shoulder shrug really.
Also, where’s the PL in all of this? Can’t they enforce a suspension?.
I totally understand & feeling for Moyes. If he doesn’t make the CL this season it’s HIM that gets the sack – so I understand that while it’s his decision, he HAS to field his best 11 – whether he likes them or their actions or not.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Was that the same Everton team we played?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
To repeat: that Davey Craig song is shyte.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A double shyte sandwich with dog’s vomit and cat furballs on top.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)