Everton vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance39,068.
Report and free highlights as Alex Iwobi's dramatic winner seals 1-0 victory for 10-man Everton against Newcastle; Toffees had Allan sent off; game halted after protester tied himself to goal post; Frank Lampard's side three points clear of drop zone
Friday 18 March 2022 11:38, UK
Alex Iwobi struck in the ninth minute of stoppage time as 10-man Everton ended a four-game losing streak with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Newcastle at an ecstatic Goodison Park.
Frank Lampard's side had Allan sent off in the 83rd minute after an initial booking for a foul on Allan Saint-Maximin was upgraded to a red card by referee Craig Pawson following a VAR review, a decision the Everton boss later described as "not a red card".
But after withstanding a barrage of late Newcastle pressure, the hosts stole possession in midfield, allowing Iwobi to carry the ball forward, exchange passes with substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin, then slide home a cool finish to seal an improbable victory.
There were still five further minutes of stoppage time to play after that due to a bizarre delay early in the second half, when a protester had to be freed by stewards using bolt-cutters after attaching himself to the goal using a cable tie around his neck.
But Everton held on to inflict a second consecutive Premier League defeat on Newcastle and clinch a crucial, morale-boosting victory which lifts them three points clear of the relegation zone.
Jamie Carragher had described this game as Everton's biggest in 20 years in the wake of their fourth consecutive defeat against Wolves and the magnitude of the occasion was not lost on the home fans, who created a cauldron of noise in the early stages.
After a bright start, however, the hosts' lack of confidence soon became clear as they ceded control of the game in midfield, where Bruno Guimaraes, partnered by the returning Joelinton, was given time and space to pick his passes.
He almost punished them on one occasion, releasing Emil Krafth with a deft through-ball, but Everton scrambled the ball away and subsequently survived an aerial bombardment.
Newcastle launched the ball high into the box at every opportunity, with Chris Wood heading too close to Asmir Begovic, who was standing in for the unwell Jordan Pickford, and then nodding another effort over the bar.
Everton sprung forward on occasion, but their collective lack of conviction was evident in their passing choices, with too many opting to play it safe, and others surrendering possession cheaply.
Their struggles were summed up by the sight of Anthony Gordon kicking fresh air after finding space to shoot from the edge of the box and they reached half-time having only had one effort on goal to Newcastle's six, and just 35 per cent of the possession.
The second half was only a few minutes old when a protestor wearing an orange t-shirt bearing the slogan 'Just Stop Oil' managed to tie himself to the frame of the goal, and it took time for the game to settle after he was finally freed and hauled away.
Newcastle went close when Guimaraes' low effort from Miguel Almiron's cut-back was saved by Begovic, with Chris Wood failing to convert the rebound from close range.
But Everton then burst into life, with Gordon forcing an acrobatic save from Dubravka with a curling effort from the edge of the box before Seamus Coleman had a penalty appeal turned down after charging into the Newcastle box from the right.
Allan's late challenge on Saint-Maximin came in the aftermath of that penalty appeal and after the Brazilian finally left the pitch, irate at the decision to upgrade his yellow card to a red, it appeared Everton were facing a nervy finale.
Calvert-Lewin's introduction had given them a focal point up front, though, and the striker played a vital role in setting up Iwobi's winner as Goodison Park erupted in celebration on a night which could prove a turning point in their fight against the drop.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher:
"I feel the decision falls under on-field yellow card. We've got to accept now that there's a new layer of scrutiny and that is to look at every tackle like that and what they've done. When you look at the tackle, you see an image of Allan flying through the air with both feet off the ground.
"The other thing they look at now is the point of contact, which is another element referees don't always spot on the field. They [the match officials] say the point of contact is just above the ankle and they've made this conscious decision that this season that a challenge with point of contact just above the ankle is going to receive a red card.
"I can understand why Craig Pawson has initially shown a yellow card and most people would've accepted that - but because of this extra layer of scrutiny, Allan has paid the price for the VAR."
Michael Keane endured some difficult moments in the first half but his overall performance summed up Everton's resolve on a night an invaluable clean sheet - only their second in 21 Premier League games - provided the foundations for victory.
The centre-back made more clearances (six) than any other player and also won more aerial duels (nine) than any of his team-mates, standing up to the considerable threat posed by Chris Wood and Dan Burn, who ventured forward for every set-piece, impressively.
Everton's defensive performances have left a lot to be desired in recent weeks but Keane helped to protect stand-in goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and provided some much-needed leadership at a time when his side sorely needed it.
Iwobi was the hero, slotting home the winner from Calvert-Lewin's lay-off to lift the roof off Goodison Park, but Everton might already have been defeated had it not been for Keane's commanding display at the back.
Everton manager Frank Lampard, who confirmed he broke his hand while celebrating Iwobi's winner, said: "It was a big night for us and nothing is done - we've got 11 games to go now - but I think we were waiting for this moment.
"A night of togetherness, a night of spirit, a night of fight against a very good team. We got what we deserved, that's absolutely clear in the end, against some odds. That exploded around the whole stadium and in the technical area when we scored.
"They're a good team. They can bring on players who can effect the game and they are in good form.
"A man down, it was, 'Can we hang on? At that point you would take a point. 'Can we get one more chance if we can get up the pitch and then deliver?'
"The lads did that and fair play to the whole place because belief stayed, fans rose, players rose on the pitch, and we deserved the win."
On Allan's red card, he added: "It's not a red card. Alan Shearer, Mr Newcastle himself, just said so and the frustrating thing for us is we had the most blatant one of the season against Man City.
"The referee gets it wrong, we get the apology, this time the referee sees it, he gives a yellow card. Did he seriously endanger the player by kicking him on the foot?
"We now lose Allan for three games. The system is not working because of decisions like tonight. VAR has gone wrong for us twice now."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "We controlled the game. The only thing that was missing in the first half was a goal, and being really clinical in the final third, but that was missing for the entire game for us today.
"I thought we got into some good positions but the normal rhythm wasn't there, for whatever reason. The second half was a big disappointment.
"The red card gave us a big advantage and we didn't capitalise on that. I thought tactically, we didn't deliver the plan we should have done at that moment.
"The game was there for us but we made some poor decisions with the ball by our high standards.
"You're always liable to counter-attacks and moments that can still cost you the game. You have to be very alert and we weren't. We made a bad mistake for the goal and it cost us."
Everton get some respite from their Premier League struggles with an FA Cup trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday lunchtime; kick-off at Selhurst Park is at 12.30pm. They then face a tricky encounter at West Ham after the international break, visiting the London Stadium on April 3 live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm; kick-off at 2pm.
Newcastle are out of action until April given their early exit from the FA Cup, and next travel to Tottenham, live on Sky Sports Premier League, as part of Super Sunday on April 3 from 4pm; kick-off at 4.30pm. They're on Sky again when they host Wolves on April 8 live on Friday Night Football on Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm; kick-off at 8pm.
