Newcastle United vs. Everton: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Newcastle United beat Everton 3-2 on Sunday in a game that was low on genuine quality but high on entertainment.
Arouna Kone's early goal gave the visitors the lead, but Papiss Cisse levelled matters soon after. Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback then gave the hosts a winning margin for the first time on the day, and Kevin Mirallas' late strike turned out to be nothing more than a consolation.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Loser: The Everton Coaching, Which Continues to Perplex
1 of 5
Everton's defensive display on Sunday was, and we're pulling no punches here, absolutely atrocious.
The Toffees conceded just 39 goals across the entire 2013-14 season, per WhoScored.com, which stood as the third-best record in the league, but they have already conceded 31 this time around.
Individual errors have no doubt cost the team, but the quality of defending on show at St. James' Park raised eyebrows around the country. During a four-minute spell at the end while Newcastle were trying to ice the game, Sylvain Distin and Co. were running around aimlessly, confused and playing everyone onside.
The fall has been, well, something else.
Winner: Ayoze Perez, Who Starred Again
2 of 5
Ayoze Perez is pretty good. He's a nifty little runner who dazzles with his agility and speed.
He's also a clever player whose movement worries defenders and pulls them all over the pitch. The little Spaniard scored another goal in this victory over Everton and hit the post late on while trying to seal the points once and for all.
A great find for Alan Pardew and Co.
Loser: Referee Craig Pawson, Who Missed Papiss Cisse's Disgusting Elbow
3 of 5
During Newcastle United's 3-1 loss to Manchester United on Boxing Day, referee Mike Jones missed a clear and obvious penalty call when Yoan Gouffran was tripped in the box. Well, perhaps decisions do "balance out," as Newcastle received a huge stroke of fortune on Sunday afternoon.
Papiss Cisse swung an elbow not once, but twice into Seamus Coleman's face during the classic push-and-shove melee at an early corner. The referee, Craig Pawson, appeared to see it, didn't do anything about it and then, minutes late, Cisse scored the equalising goal.
He shouldn't have been on the pitch to net it.
Winner: Seamus Coleman, Who Was Imperious on the Right
4 of 5
We're scraping the barrel for winners due to the chaotic nature of the game. Newcastle played OK but didn't really have to hit second gear thanks to an awful performance from Everton.
One player who did stand out in the mist, though, was Seamus Coleman, who looked back to his imperious, dominant best on the right. His cross from the right for the opening goal was great, and he caused Paul Dummett no end of trouble in tracking.
Loser: Roberto Martinez, Who Is Losing Support
5 of 5
If you watched Everton's display on Sunday without knowing who the manager was, you'd never have guessed it was a Roberto Martinez team. OK, so the Spaniard may not be the future Barcelona coach some quizzically label him, but he's never looked this uninspiring.
Romelu Lukaku is out of form, Ross Barkley isn't playing enough, the defence is shambolic and Leighton Baines played central midfield here. The fans aren't happy, the team have lost three in a row and Martinez is losing support.
