Toon Back In The Relegation Dog Fight

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Nuno Valente, Osman, Carsley, Arteta, Van der Meyde (Davies 78), Johnson (Beattie 71), Anichebe (McFadden 71).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Weir.

 

NEWCASTLE: Given, Solano, Ramage (Sibierski 37), Taylor, Huntington, Milner, Butt, Parker, Emre, Dyer (Pattison 78), Martins.
Subs Not Used: Srnicek, Rossi, Edgar.

 

 

Att: 38,682

Newcastle looked vulnerable defending every dead-ball kick, and it was hardly surprising 18-year-old Victor Anichebe grabbed himself two goals to upstage compatriot Obafemi Martins as Everton destroyed the Geordies at Goodison Park.

He scored either side of the break to put Everton 2-0 ahead, but Martins missed from the spot to put Newcastle back into the game. Everton captain Phil Neville wrapped up an emphatic victory with his first goal for the club.

Shay Given returned to replace Pavel Srnicek, while Emre and Nolberto Solano came in for Antoine Sibierski and David Edgar.

Everton found themselves ahead after starting the brighter of the sides, and some neat interplay between Mikel Arteta, Johnson and Anichebe forced a corner. Arteta played the ball short to Neville, and his whipped cross was met by Everton defender Joseph Yobo. The clearance from Paul Huntington just landed at the feet of Anichebe who fired a low, left-foot shot into the corner from six yards.

Emre and Huntington picked up yellow cards for strong tackles and Peter Ramage picked up an injury seven minutes before the break and striker/midfielder Sibierski was drafted into the backline.

Two minutes before the break, Newcastle had an opportunity to draw level when Leon Osman hauled down Dyer, and Emre (who was already on a yellow card) got involved in the tussle that could have seen him sent off. Martins failed to make the spot-kick count as he blasted it well high and wide.

In the 58th minute, another right-wing corner and another mess in the Toon defence. Arteta cross was met by Johnson, onto Anichebe who hit the bar but he scored from the rebound from inside the six-yard box.

Four minutes later, Goodison Park erupted as Neville hit Arteta's low free-kick first time with a mis-hit, dipping effort from 20 yards which flew over Given and into the far corner.

The January transfer window cannot come early enough for Glenn Roeder.