Salomon Rondon scored his fourth goal of the season at Everton tonight, and he was nicely set up by Jacob Murphy with good play down the left wing before crossing low for Rondon to fire home at the far post.
That was after 19 minutes, but 20 minutes later Everton equalized with a bit of a sloppy goal following a corner when Lascelles couldn’t clear the danger, and Richarlison equalized.
Rafa had made three changes to the side that were beaten by West Ham 3-0 on Saturday with Lascelles coming at the back and Murphy and Atsu starting the game.
Salomon Rondon after scoring at Everton tonight
Matt Ritchie was suspended after he picked up his fifth yellow card on Saturday, Kenedy was out injured, and Perez was on the bench.
Newcastle started in a 5-4-1 formation and were quickly put on the defensive by the home side but then started to come more into the game
Newcastle were counter-attacking, and Atsu and Murphy on the wings were the main outlets from defense.
On 19 minutes Mo Diame got the ball and put Jacob Murphy away down the left wing, and the 23-year-old did everything right as he crossed the ball low for Salmon Rondon to bast the ball home to the delight of the visiting Geordie fans.
Martin Dubravka and Federico Fernandez then combined to keep Newcastle in the lead.
The impressive Federico Fernandez somehow blocked a shot from Gylfi Sigurdsson that looked like it was a certain goal.
And then goalkeeper Dubravka produced a brilliant save as he went full stretch to keep Newcastle in front.
But Everton started to get on top, and the strong Newcastle defense was finally broken following a Sigurdsson right-wing corner.
The ball arrived at the far post, and it was not cleared by Lascelles and Richarlison fired home from a yard out giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Then Dubravka produced a world-class save from former Newcastle target Cenk Tosun to keep the scores level at 1-1 at the break.
What an acquisition he is for just £4M from Sparta Prague.
A rejuvenated Newcastle came out in the second half to attack the Toffees, and it was anybody’s game, but then Newcastle had to withstand a lot of late pressure from the home side.
But with just two minutes to play substitute Ayoze Perez put Atsu through on goal but he hit the ball straight at Pickford.
It was a great chance to steal all 3 points.
But this was an excellent point for Newcastle – no doubt about it.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
L Toon
Dec 5, 2018 at 10:53 PM
Comment #1Lee Ryder
?@lee_ryder
#nufc head of recruitment Steve Nickson is in the US at the moment working on Almiron deal. Claims from Atlanta the deal is close. That would be a massive boost given the uncertainty plunged around the club in last 48 hours. #mls
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 5, 2018 at 11:00 PM
Comment #2Deal close – where have we heard that before???
….. and then seals the deal with a swift £20M whilst Newcastle argue over a £15 offer – you don’t want to break your transfer record in the January do you!.
Nufc-83
Dec 5, 2018 at 11:01 PM
Comment #3Not his biggest fan normally but thought Atsu was by far our best attacking player tonight and now deserves a run in the team over Kennedy or Richie.
Munster Mag
Dec 5, 2018 at 11:08 PM
Comment #4If Ashley sells soon, the frog is going to look like a proper twat, even more so than currently. Maybe tsunki can defend the bore, who knows?
catchy in norway
Dec 5, 2018 at 11:09 PM
Comment #5thought manquillo was man of the match, fully deserves his starting place every week ?
Lindisfarne
Dec 5, 2018 at 11:09 PM
Comment #6Ian Cathro in the Wolves dug-out
Munster Mag
Dec 5, 2018 at 11:09 PM
Comment #7Great result. Sounds like a good tactical display from rafa and players.
RobLeenio
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:03 PM
Comment #8😕