For the first time under Lampard’s leadership, Newcastle moved out of the Premier League’s bottom three with a convincing 3-0 victory over Everton
This was the first time this season that Eddie Howe’s enthusiastic team had won consecutive games, and it gave them hope that they may avoid the drop so quickly after their takeover.
As a result of Jonjo Shelvey’s lucky escape with a red card for a challenge on Anthony Gordon, Newcastle fell behind to an own goal by Jamaal Lascelles. However, the Magpies answered with another own goal just 108 seconds later.
Having assisted in Everton’s goal, Mason Holgate repaid the favor by scoring into his own net after Jamaal Lascelles’ header hit the bar.
Further Newcastle chances were created in the second half, and Ryan Fraser put the Magpies ahead with a poke after superb work by Allan Saint-Maximin.
And Kieran Trippier’s 25-yard free kick added the finishing touch to a superb performance that was largely accomplished without the services of new signing Bruno Guimaraes.
Jacob Murphy’s late goal would have made it even better, but this performance was encouraging for Newcastle as it was worrisome for Frank Lampard.
A well-drilled Newcastle side held off a late charge from Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek, who came off the bench.
On Saturday, they take on Leeds United, who are currently fighting relegation from the Premier League, with a one-point gap between them and Everton.
Newcastle is certain they have turned the corner.
After the £305 million takeover in October, Newcastle fans’ expectations and nerves have been tested throughout the season.
After a string of wins and a first exit from the bottom three since the autumn, celebrations broke out at the final whistle as if a new chapter had begun.
Before their trip to Saudi Arabia, Howe’s team had to hang on to a win against Leeds. However, this was a much improved performance than 17 days earlier, and they could and should have scored more goals.
Newcastle’s manager claimed that his team had returned from their training camp in Saudi Arabia in better shape, and that was evident.
Despite the disappointment that new Lyon signing Guimaraes did not start after his £40 million move, the hosts’ midfield was a well-oiled machine. They pressed Everton from the outset, leading to errors in the visitors’ backline.
Even though Lascelles’ own goal gave Newcastle the lead in the most unfortunate of circumstances, the captain’s role in the equalizer told a lot about him, especially when he was under siege from new acquisition Dan Burn.
Importantly, it meant that Newcastle only trailed for less than two minutes, and they could have taken the lead before half-time when Chris Wood missed a free header and Joelinton inexplicably fell with the goal at his mercy following more wizardry from Saint-Maximin.
Even after the break, the French winger showed his star quality by dribbling through the Everton defense and lofting a cross to Fraser, who sent manager Eddie Howe and the majority of the fans into a frenzy.
However, there was still a crowning moment to come. An exhilarating feeling of Premier League survival was given to home fans when Trippier, Newcastle’s first transfer window signing and a statement signing in many respects, stepped up to fire in a wonderful free-kick.
We got Everton into a fight, and we lost.
Everton’s success against Brentford in the FA Cup on Saturday had given manager Frank Lampard hope for a calmer week ahead, but this outcome dragged the Toffees back down to earth.
After Rafael Benitez’s disastrous tenure, a team with only two wins in 16 matches shows a lack of confidence and will need to show stronger resilience in order to avoid relegation.
The arrivals of Alli and Van van Beek, both of whom made their debuts, have given Lampard’s team a lift, but they must quickly settle in if he is to implement a more creative style of play.
Gordon’s free-kick brought up their goal in a hectic first half, and he was their most impressive player.
It’s possible that Lampard will point to these two occasions as pivotal milestones in the game’s development.
Yerry Mina was forced to leave the game as Gordon attacked down the left side, adding to the injury woes of Demarai Gray. The Everton winger was fortunate to escape injury after Shelvey wrapped his legs around him.
It’s a shame we couldn’t hold on to the advantage, but other than Richarlison’s half-chance and Gordon’s stopped shot, there weren’t many chances.
After receiving a hail of criticism from Newcastle’s fans, Jordan Pickford remained composed and made a spectacular save to deny Joelinton.
When former Sunderland goalkeeper David James fumbled a clearance, it led to even worse from Jarrad Branthwaite and resulted in a corner that the home crowd savored.
