Everton hold off Newcastle United to move in to seventhThierno Barry scored against Newcastle for the second time in five days as his Everton side eased to a narrow win at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
Tyrique George was allowed to run into the box unmarked and his low shot got underneath Newcastle keeper Lukas Hornicek before it was tapped in by Barry from a few yards out in the 49th minute.
Barry’s finish was his eighth goal in 12 games across all competitions this season and backed up his strike in Everton’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle on Thursday.
Newcastle’s fortunes were made worse in the 98th minute when midfielder Jacob Ramsey was shown a second yellow card, 84 seconds after receiving his first, for catching Harrison Armstrong above the Everton player’s ankle.
Everton were the better side on a rainy Monday night and almost added a second through Jarrad Branthwaite’s header, which was saved smartly midway through the second half.
The visitors also had a late penalty shout when Fabian Schar appeared to catch Barry in the box as he attempted a clearance, but the video assistant referee upheld referee John Brooks’ no-penalty call.
Newcastle’s best chance of a leveller came in the 66th minute when Anthony Elanga met Harvey Barnes’ cross with a powerful shot which was saved by a combination of Jordan Pickford and the post, before briefly trickling along the goalline.
England goalkeeper Pickford also did well to keep out substitute Yoane Wissa’s low effort with his feet in the 90th minute.
But Newcastle were otherwise second best as Barry’s goal inspired Everton to their first league win since September.
No Grealish, no problem for Everton
David Moyes post match interview – Newcastle United v Everton
Everton’s double-header against Newcastle has gone well on the pitch, but off it headlines had been dominated by the club’s call to drop Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish.
The England midfielder was not in Everton’s squad for Thursday’s win because of a “breach of club discipline” and he was again not included on Monday.
Everton have not disclosed any further details, but the decision is understood to have arisen from an unauthorised absence from training.
With midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Merlin Rohl stepping up, it might be difficult for Grealish to win his place back in the starting XI.
Consecutive wins have put Everton back on track after back-to-back 2-0 losses to Chelsea and Arsenal, which followed a draw at Hull.
Moyes’ team are clicking and they are up to seventh in the Premier League table, two points behind fifth-placed Liverpool.
Toon Army turn against team
Matthias Jaissle post match interview – Newcastle United v Everton
