Everton vs. Newcastle: 6 Things We Learned
Everton recorded their third consecutive Premier League win, running out deserved 3-2 winners against Newcastle in an entertaining game at Goodison Park.
The Toffees sprinted out of the blocks, racing to a 3-0 lead with just 37 minutes on the clock.
Romelu Lukaku slotted home a Kevin Mirallas cross on seven minutes and turned provider 18 minutes later for Ross Barkley to stab home.
Lukaku then seemingly wrapped up the points with a third goal eight minutes before half-time, capitalising on some accommodating defending and latching onto a long kick from Tim Howard.
Everton fans would have been forgiven for thinking the game was over after such a scintillating opening burst, but—having been outclassed during the first period—Newcastle emerged a different beast after the break.
Yohan Cabaye lashed in a spectacular strike soon after half-time, pulling his side back into the game and making it a more even contest. A late strike from Loic Remy further raised the tension around Goodison Park, but Everton held firm and, in truth, the final scoreline flattered Newcastle.
Here’s a look at some Everton-related talking points to emerge from this contest.
Thank You, Chelsea
1 of 6
It’s impossible to begin this analysis anywhere other than with Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgium international was simply imperious throughout this contest, providing the Toffees with a new dimension in attack which eventually proved the difference.
His home debut was marked with a brace and an assist for Ross Barkley, while he was also his side’s most creative player (carving out three chances), and most frequent dribbler.
He's an ideal fit for Roberto Martinez’s system, physically imposing enough to give Everton versatility in their approach and, of course, is ruthless in the box.
He's also technically adept and able to be heavily involved in build-up play. He made 64 touches in this game—double the amount Nikica Jelavic would typically tally—as he linked up with Barkey and Kevin Mirallas particularly well.
Everton have dominated several periods of play over the past few seasons, but rarely has their supremacy resulted in such an emphatic scoreline by half-time.
When their momentum stalled, Lukaku’s clinical finishing meant his side were still far enough ahead to win.
A lack of goals was the main reason for Everton’s European challenge fading last season. Too many games were drawn and all of the Premier League’s top seven sides scored at least 11 more than the Toffees.
With Lukaku up front that won’t be the case this year.
Barry Already Key in Midfield
2 of 6
Lukaku will rightly receive the plaudits, along with the equally excellent Ross Barkley, but Gareth Barry has already added a huge amount to Everton’s midfield and was again impressive in this match.
Since his arrival, he has quickened the Toffees' transition of style, making them faster and more fluid in midfield. He takes fewer touches, finds sharp, clever angles and seems to envision most attacks a few phases ahead.
He was his side's enforcer, passing 19 more times than any of his team-mates, and was flawless with his longer passes. His passing range and positional sense are high class and most Everton attacks had his influence on at some stage during this match.
Part of Everton's dominant first half showing was also due to their industry and pressing off the ball, which Barry helped instigate and sustain.
In their first start together there were signs of some promising chemistry between the England international and James McCarthy, both of whom are far more at home imposing their manager's desired style.
Barry's unavailability against his parent club, Manchester City, is already going to prove a difficult absence to cope with this coming weekend.
Contrasting Halves Continue
3 of 6
This is a big win for Everton and injects considerable momentum into their season, but it’s important not to gloss over a shaky second-half showing.
The Toffees seem unable to shake off a frustrating trend of dominating one half but looking several levels below during the next. As of yet, they have failed to score in both halves of a game this season and impressive 45-minute showings at West Ham and Fulham also accompanied another slack period.
This continued into this game, with Cabaye’s strike enough to disrupt Everton’s rhythm and confidence, while bringing Newcastle into the game. While the Toffees still had chances to sew the game up, the pressing wasn't as cohesive and the passing became less intricate and incisive.
Martinez's side appeared slightly jaded towards the end of the game and it's important this tendency of impressing for just one half of a game is extended to both sides of the interval. Work must be done to prolong these high level bursts of intensity.
At the same time, it’s such a boost—and a change from previous seasons—to have attackers that can make one half in the ascendancy still prove decisive.
Early Goal a Difference
4 of 6
Everton’s possession-absorbing, patient approach is still a work in progress, but there’s no doubt that an early strike will make things considerably easier for both the players and supporters.
Instead of a growing anxiety as Everton struggle to penetrate an opponent entrenched in their final third, early lapses meant Newcastle were forced forward, allowing the likes of Lukaku and Barkley far more room in which to operate.
In turn, this aided the passing game and allowed Everton to frequently carve through their opponents, especially during the first half. They appeared significantly slicker, and there was more space in which to move into and pull defenders away.
This all led to the Toffees' most impressive half under their new manager.
With the emphasis generally on building from the back, Everton then had the gumption to play with extra variety in this game. They disguised their approach far more and actually scored from a couple of more direct moves.
Less Prominent Role for Baines?
5 of 6
The early evidence suggests Everton may actually end up reducing the workload placed on Leighton Baines this season.
This is no bad thing, as the left-back has been the Toffees' key creator for several years, and is the player opponents look to stifle first.
Under David Moyes, the aim of several attacks always seemed to be about providing Baines with an opportunity to deliver, which—despite his crossing proficiency—is essentially a lottery.
Under Roberto Martinez, Everton seem to be forming a more balanced offence, spreading the responsibility and ensuring the chances created are a little more clear cut.
Last season Baines had more touches than any other player and was his side's leading passer in five Premier League games, yet he's been far less involved this year.
Against Newcastle, six team-mates made more than his 63 touches—a statistic that would have been unheard of last season.
As the Premier League's leading creator in 2012/13, with 116 chances, he was his side's top provider by a mile and created the most in over half of last season's games. Against Newcastle, he didn't even create a single chance.
Again, this is no bad thing and doesn't make Baines any less of a player. This essentially spread offence can only make Everton a better attacking unit and no longer one-dimensional. Baines remains a prolific creator and will continue to create, but may not be so heavily relied on this season.
More Promising Signs for Martinez
6 of 6
It's still far too early to dwell on, but Everton have made an excellent start in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez.
They remain the only unbeaten team and now sit in a Champions League place having accumulated 12 points from six games. It's only the second time during the Premier League era that the Toffees have stayed unbeaten until now, although a trip to Manchester City next week will certainly test that record.
With Martinez still needing time to implement his own methods around the club, the fact he's started so well gives him far more freedom to settle in and reduces any early pressure.
If Everton can produce such a stunning 45-minute display with an evolving, as yet unfamiliar style, imagine what can be achieved in a few months.
Statistics via WhoScored?
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
