In what could be described as a relegation six-pointer and certainly a must-win for both teams between Everton and Newcastle, Everton fell short.
Frank Lampard’s first game went splendidly on the weekend against Brentford, but his first league game could not have gone more in the opposite direction.
His side did take the lead though in bizarre fashion as from a free-kick Mason Holgate had an effort blocked on the line which hit Jamal Lascelles and went into the back of the net.
However, a minute later the exact same thing happened down the other end but from a corner.
Lascelles thundered a header onto the crossbar with the ball rebounding into the net off Holgate to make it 1-1 after 37 minutes.
11 minutes into the second half the home side who sat in the relegation zone at the beginning of the night took the lead through Ryan Fraser.
Allan Saint-Maximum took on Seamus Coleman and beat him with ease to put a cross in.
Fraser swung at it with his left leg and the ball managed to get past a scrambling Andros Townsend on the line.
With ten minutes left Newcastle made sure the game was done as January signing Kieran Trippier scored a precise free-kick which arrowed into the bottom right hand corner.
The victory takes the Geordie club out of the relegation zone and puts them on 18 points, just one behind Everton.
Bottom of the league Burnley also got a point against Manchester United meaning that they are only six points behind Everton.
Player ratings:
Jordan Pickford: 5
Distribution was really poor as he seemed to lose composure yet again against the team he grew up hating. Made a strong save to deny Joe Willock from making it 4-1 and also stopped Saint-Maximum in stoppage time from extending the home sides lead.
Seamus Coleman: 4
Saint-Maximum turned him inside out for the majority of the game. Couldn’t defend against him and was done by him in the build-up for the second Newcastle goal.
Mason Holgate: 4
Was booked early on for a poor challenge. Very unlucky not to score but thanks to him Everton took the lead. Was very unlucky to score an own-goal as he could not do anything about it.
Michael Keane: 3
Poor passing out of the back and could not cope with the countless crosses from both flanks. Only won four out of his 15 duels.
Yerry Mina: 3
Went off injured not long after Gray did. Gave the ball away needlessly a few times trying to play out from the back.
Andros Townsend: 3
Should have made a better attempt of clearing it on the line for the second Newcastle goal. Played completely out of position at left-wingback and it was clear to see.
Allan: 6
When Everton were on top, he was dominating the midfield. Seems to have benefitted from Frank Lampard’s appointment.
Andre Gomes: 4
Needlessly picked up a booking early on in the second half. Struggled to make things happen and was taken off after an hour.
Anthony Gordon: 4
Forced a save out of Martin Dubravka in second half but struggled to make anything happen as the front three could not click or find any rhythm.
Richarlison: 3
Shocking free-kick in the first half straight into the wall. Couldn’t hold the ball up to bring players around him into the game. Doesn’t suit being through the middle.
Demarai Gray: n/a
Went off injured inside the first 25 minutes which will be a huge concern for Everton.
Substitutions:
Dele Alli (Demarai Gray 25): 3
His debut for the club. Lost the ball in the build-up for second goal and could not make any attacking impact.
Jarrad Branthwaite (Yerry Mina 35): 4
Good block in the 44th minute. Poor on the ball and you could tell he was rushed into the action.
Donny Van De Beek (Andre Gomes 60): 5
Brought a touch of class to the midfield when he first came on for his debut. Would not be a surprise to see him start against Leeds United on the weekend.
