What a win! A hugely accomplished performance from Everton saw them earn a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on a rainy, late-autumn evening at St James’ Park.
And while Everton ended up having to grind it out, their performance was more than worthy of the 3 points — they could and perhaps should have scored more.
Here’s what we learned from Everton’s first Premier League away win of the season.
BARRY KEEPS ON BAGGING
He’s an enigma. He’s possibly the worst, good player that I’ve ever seen play for Everton. Perhaps that’s what Thierno Barry is going to be. But he is certainly effective.
Barry had another indifferent evening. His hold-up play was mixed — some great, some poor — he missed a huge chance at 0-0 when he slashed wildly at a close-range effort, but then he was on hand to score the winner.
That’s now 8 goals across all competitions this season. Among Premier League players, only Erling Haaland (13) has netted more times in 2026-27.
Barry needs to do more, he needs to be show more composure. But there’s absolutely no doubting he gets into good positions, and the chances — and the goals — keep coming.
MOYES HAS STILL GOT IT
I’ll hold my hands up, I was among the doubters when the teamsheet was released ahead of kick-off.
Jake O’Brien shoehorned in back at right-back; Merlin Röhl ahead of him. Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney on the bench.
Yet within 15 minutes of the first half, Moyes had been proved right. The tactics were spot on, and they completely nullified Newcastle.
As ever with Moyes, the subs came late, though given the game state, it was tough to see how he could impact it, and it was perhaps best to leave it as was.
Newcastle had some chances, sure — Everton had to ride their luck a bit, and rely on Jordan Pickford to make a big save or two — but overall, David Moyes got it spot on.
WORKHORSES WIN THE DAY
With no Jack Grealish, again, there may have been a lack of craft, but Everton more than made up for it. Not that Grealish isn’t a hard worker, but this performance was all about energy.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was at the forefront of everything Everton did well, and he clocked up 12.1 km — a distance bettered only by Harrison Armstrong (12.7 km).
James Garner clocked 11.6 km and Röhl did 11.5 km. Those are huge numbers, and most of all, all of them were extremely effective. They pressed at the right times, disrupted the play and made positive runs on and off the ball.
At the back, meanwhile, the fit-again Jarrad Branthwaite was immense: He won 10/12 aerial duels.
ARMSTRONG NEEDS SOME SHOOTING BOOTS
It always felt likely that Armstrong would come back into the fold, and Moyes’s decision was proved right. Armstrong offers so much out of possession and plenty on the ball, and as noted already, he is an absolute engine at the heart of midfield. One thing, though, Harrison — just work on your finishing!
He had a great chance at the end of the first half when he got into the right position to meet Dewsbury-Hall’s cutback, but he sliced it well wide. A bit more composure, and the goals will come, too.
ST JAMES’ PARK IS NOW A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND
St James’ Park is no easy place to go, but that is now 3 straight Premier League wins for Everton at the home of the Magpies, who have now lost to the Toffees 3 times this year (4, if you include that friendly defeat in Edinburgh this past summer).
A happy hunting ground, after all?