Everton 1 Newcastle 0
Alex Iwobi may rank as one of Everton's least successful signings of the Farhad Moshiri era but even a misfit can have his day. His greatest contribution in a blue shirt came with Everton down to 10 men, the goal drought having stretched back to the first half of February.
It was the 99th minute when he exchanged passes with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and slid a shot under Martin Dubravka. He secured just Everton's third win in 21 league games. Perhaps, in the process, he changed the course of a season.
Frank Lampard's first league game in charge of Everton was at St James' Park and a defeat formed part of a wider swing between the clubs. Newcastle sacked Steve Bruce when 11 points behind Everton and kicked off here nine ahead of them.
It explained why their supporters began in buoyant mood, taunting their hosts with choruses of the name of Rafael Benítez. A man who has managed both clubs is held in far higher esteem on Tyneside than this part of Merseyside.
The visitors also came to jeer Jordan Pickford, though those chants had less meaning with coronavirus sidelining the goalkeeper. Asmir Begovic, who lacks his Sunderland connections, deputised and avoided embarrassment when Fabian Schär tried to lob him from 60 yards.
Booed off against Wolves on Sunday, Everton had the crowd firmly behind them as they made an up-tempo start. Yet the only early opportunity they mustered was when Ben Godfrey headed straight at Martin Dubravka. With Calvert-Lewin not deemed fit enough to start alongside Richarlison, Lampard had made the unexpected decision to use Anthony Gordon as a No 10 but, seemingly struggling with injury, he was a passenger at times as Newcastle assumed the initiative.
Bruno Guimarães offered control as they began to camp in the Everton half. The recalled Michael Keane was required to make a couple of well-judged interventions as he showed more solidity than on his previous outing, in the 5-0 thrashing at Tottenham.
Begovic held a header from Chris Wood and tipped away a menacing cross that Emil Krafth delivered. There were hearty cheers when Séamus Coleman outpaced Ryan Fraser to make a crucial challenge, though it is safe to say it was scarcely the fastest race Goodison has ever witnessed. It ensured parity at the break. It was a scoreline that suited Newcastle better.
The second half began with some of the strangest goalmouth action seen here as a protester tied himself to the post. A steward emerged with bolt cutters to cut him away before he was eventually carted out of the ground. It brought a seven-minute delay and a few quips about the miscreant having spent more time in the penalty box than various Everton attackers.
Demarai Gray at least got forward to attempt a shot on the turn, though it flew wide while Gordon, who had appeared to run off his injury, looked more lively. At the other end, Krafth took aim from 25 yards, though Begovic gathered his half-volley safely. The goalkeeper then parried a shot from Guimarães, with Wood making a poor attempt to head in the rebound.
Both managers sent for the forward they held in reserve. Each proved an impact substitute. Calvert-Lewin’s introduction first allowed Gordon to play on the left and the 21-year-old came close, unleashing a long-range effort that a flying Dubravka tipped over.
Allan Saint-Maximin made a difference when he set off on a solo run, Allan halted him with a cynical late challenge. Referee Craig Pawson initially booked the Brazilian. After reviewing the incident, he upgraded the card and dismissed the midfielder. It seemed to end Everton's chances. – Guardian
