Newcastle United finally banished their travel sickness in the Premier League with a stunning 4-1 victory over a woeful Everton at Goodison Park. The Magpies, who had struggled for form away from St James' Park, delivered a first-half masterclass to secure a comprehensive three points on manager Eddie Howe's birthday.
Mersey Masterclass from Magpies
The visitors exploded out of the blocks, taking the lead inside the first ten minutes. The breakthrough came from a Lewis Miley corner, which was powerfully headed home by defender Malick Thiaw. This set the tone for a dominant half from the Tynesiders, who capitalised on a series of Everton errors.
The Toffees' evening went from bad to worse as Newcastle doubled their lead. The spotlight fell on 19-year-old Lewis Miley, who scored his first Premier League goal with a low strike that Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will feel he should have saved. The young midfielder's all-round performance was exceptional, showcasing a maturity and composure beyond his years.
Woltemade Seals the Deal Before the Break
Newcastle put the game to bed just before half-time with a beautifully crafted third goal. Anthony Elanga dispossessed a dithering Tim Iroegbunam and fed the ball to Nick Woltemade. The German forward displayed superb technique, deftly lifting the ball over the onrushing Pickford to make it 3-0.
Woltemade's intelligent link-up play was a feature of Newcastle's attacking threat throughout the first half, providing a perfect foil for the pace of Elanga. Any hopes of an Everton comeback were extinguished early in the second period when Thiaw rose highest to head in his second goal of the game, making it 4-0.
Everton's Lamentable Display
For Everton, this was a performance to forget. Following a gutsy win at Old Trafford, David Moyes's side produced a display devoid of fight and quality. Their misery was compounded when striker Thierno Barry thought he had scored a consolation, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall did manage a late consolation for the home side with a well-taken goal, but it did little to paper over the cracks of a truly dismal evening for the Toffees. The result leaves Everton with significant questions to answer, particularly regarding their lack of a cutting edge in attack.
For Eddie Howe and Newcastle, however, this was the perfect tonic. The victory, spearheaded by the champagne talent of local lad Lewis Miley, provides a huge boost to their season and finally ends their away day hoodoo in emphatic style.
