Everton secured a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at Murrayfield on Wednesday night, with goals from Thierno Barry, Iliman Ndiaye, and Tyrique George. The win provided a morale boost ahead of the Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace.
Barry's impressive pre-season continues
Newcastle started brightly but fell behind on the half-hour mark when Barry put Everton ahead. The France youth international latched onto a pass from Harrison Armstrong, after Lewis Hall blocked his initial run, and slotted past Lukas Hornicek. It was Barry's third goal of pre-season, having also created one for Merlin Rohl at Hamburg and had one controversially disallowed at Bolton Wanderers.
The 23-year-old has strengthened his case to lead Everton's forward line, especially after Beto's struggles in Stuttgart. He is now expected to start against Crystal Palace on the opening day.
Ndiaye doubles lead from spot
Iliman Ndiaye doubled Everton's lead just before half-time with a penalty won by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Goalkeeper Mark Travers made two good saves in the first half and denied Jacob Murphy early in the second to keep Newcastle at bay.
After surviving that scare, Everton dominated possession, with Dewsbury-Hall forcing Hornicek into a save from a free-kick, and George and Adam Aznou both testing the goalkeeper from distance.
George's first Everton goal
The highlight came when Tyrique George scored his first goal in Royal Blue with a lovely finish, capping an excellent move involving Armstrong. Harvey Barnes scored a late consolation for Newcastle, but it did little to dampen a promising night for David Moyes's side.
The victory came at a good time for Everton, who had stuttered in Stuttgart, and will give fans hope ahead of the new campaign.
