Everton 1-0 Newcastle: Iwobi gives Lampard three points and a broken hand
Everton sensationally ended a four-game losing streak in the Premier League against Newcastle United at Goodison Park this evening.
Frank Lampard’s men have been in desperate form of late and came into this evening’s game boasting the club’s worst league run since 2005, though largely outplayed by their visitors they held resolve and ultimately ran out 1-0 winners, Alex Iwobi securing the victory deep into 14 minutes of stoppage time.
Just when it seemed Everton would be cherishing a hardfought point; moreso after midfielder Allan saw red late on — his initial tactical foul on Allan Saint-Maximin which received a yellow card was overturned by the video assistant referee — meaning they’d be playing the games final half-hour (including stoppage) with a man down, second half substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin played Iwobi through brilliantly and the former Arsenal men netted his second goal of the season to send the blue half of Merseyside into raptures. His effort goes down as the second-latest winning goal since 2006/07, timed at 98 minutes and 19 seconds, behind only Bruno Fernandes’ strike for Manchester United in a 3-2 win at Brighton in September 2020 (99:45).
Once the celebrations subside it’s back to square one as there’s still a long road ahead for the nine-time champions even though Everton have created breathing room. They are still nestled one place above the dangerzone, albeit with two games in hand, with their gap to 18th-placed Watford being three points now. If the unthinkable does happen — Everton are one of six clubs to have played in every Premier League campaign since its formation — it would be their first demotion from England’s top-flight since 1950/51 and third overall having first been relegated during the 1929/30 season.
Having started the campaign with former Liverpool boss and unpopular choice Rafael Benitez, the wheels spectacularly came off and the jury is still out regarding Lampard’s appointment despite tonight’s much-needed win, for one Newcastle were all over Everton, even when both teams had 10 outfield players, dominating possession and registering more shots. On top of that, Everton have managed just one shot in the first half of two of their last three Premier League games under Lampard (one against Tottenham and one tonight), after having a maximum of one shot in the first half of just two of their previous 71 matches beforehand.
Across these past few weeks they’ve not looked to be a team which can impose themselves on the opposition. No team is too good to go down and Lampard, who broke his hand amid celebration, recognised the spirit his side displayed. It could be an important first step towards maintaining their privileged status.
Richy and Frank were every Evertonian at FT! 🙌😅 pic.twitter.com/gsqSLO48VY
— Everton (@Everton) March 17, 2022
“I’ve broken my hand in the celebrations. My bones must be going soft, I don’t remember the moment,” he told Amazon Prime.
“It was an amazing night and we need those nights. Spirit and togetherness, the players stood up tonight. It was not a night for quality or calm. It means so much to the stadium we all felt that. I wanted to use the atmosphere.
“Everton fans wanted to see passion. We proved what we could be tonight. I don’t think it is a red card. It is a yellow, yes, is it a strong yellow? Possibly. But that isn’t a clear error. It was the wrong decision and we lose Allan for three games.
“We showed grit and our defenders defended. A lot of spirit and togetherness. We are in this situation and when we have to fight, we have to fight.
“Newcastle are a good team, they will be alright. From our point of view, it was can we dig in? And can we get one or two opportunities when down to 10 men.
“There is a lot of talk about Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] and being involved in that goal will do him the biggest favour. It will hopefully be the catalyst for him. We need a fit and firing Dom to help this team.”
