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Match Report While the media will no doubt focus on the controversy surrounding the penalty that ultimately decided this battle between two European hopefuls — particularly because it effectively ends Newcastle's faint Championship hopes — the truth is that Everton were worthy winners. Very little will be said about Andy O'Brien's blatant handball in the first half that didn't even warrant a booking in the referee's jaundiced eyes � despite the fact that it prevented Wayne Rooney from having a clear run on goal. There was also the matter of Jonathan Woodgate using his arm to stop a Joseph Yobo shot from distance that also went unpunished by the officials. The result that lifts Everton back over rivals Liverpool was well deserved irrespective of the furore over Gravesen's accidental challenge on Bernard, the players' decision not to kick the ball out of play so that the defender could receive treatment, and the circumstances behind the penalty award. Having come up short against West Ham and failed the Highbury test because of poor starts, Everton began this crucial encounter with Newcastle in positive fashion. The man of the moment, Rooney, was handed his expected start and was almost in within 40 seconds of the whistle but he was correctly ruled offside — in any case his toe-poke was hit straight at Given. Newcastle, looking slightly off the pace in the opening exchanges, tried their luck through Laurent Robert from 20 yards out but his effort was comfortably saved by Richard Wright at the near post. At the other end five minutes later, Rooney and Given collided in mid air and collapsed in a tangled heap which left the 17 year-old requiring anxious treatment by the physio but he eventually got up to carry on after an examination of his back. In another collision between striker and goalkeeper, Alan Shearer went in on the advancing Wright and left his mark on the Everton No 1 by shredding his shorts and cutting his thigh with his studs. He was probably entitled to go for the loose ball and the referee awarded a free kick without the booking that the Goodison faithful would have preferred. David Moyes's side remained purposeful and were displaying a greater tendency to use the flanks than has been the case recently. Joseph Yobo made a few raids down the right and after a quarter of an hour made enough space to unleash a 25 yarder that was blocked by a combination of Jonathan Woodgate's arm and chest, something that, unsurprisingly, went unnoticed by the officials. From the same position a couple of minutes later, Mark Pembridge, playing wide left of Thomas Gravesen and surprise inclusion Lee Carsley, fired in a direct free kick that bounced awkwardly in front of Given but the Irishman managed to stay behind it and keep the ball out. In the 18th minute, though, Everton made their deserved breakthrough. From a Pembridge short-corner, Thomas Gravesen crossed from the left touchline, Weir flicked it on and Rooney was on hand and definitely not offside to nod the ball home in off the post to make it 1-0. And it should have been 2-0 not long afterwards when Campbell swivelled onto a nicely-placed cross from the right but crashed his shot straight at Given. A yard either side and he would surely have scored. The goal spurred Newcastle's dynamic midfield into action and they became ever more threatening. Gravesen was harshly booked for catching an opponent late and then Shearer broke quickly down the right but he took it too wide from his perspective; when the ball came out to Bryan Kerr, he shot high and wide. In between, however, referee Neale Barry made another error when he failed to appropriately punish Andy O'Brien for a blatant handball to prevent Rooney a clear run on goal. On another day with another official, he might have seen red. With Campbell playing deep, Rooney remained the Blues' chief attacking threat and the two combined on 34 minutes when the No 9 chipped a throughball for the No 18 but Rooney's fierce shot from the angle was saved by Given at the post and the danger was cleared by Newcastle. Five minutes later, the scores were level. Just as at St James' Park in December, Everton were left to marvel a sensational Newcastle goal. Robert, occupying the acres of space left by Yobo's complete absence in the right-back slot, took one touch into the corner of the area before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. Wright got a touch on it but couldn't keep it out. And as the Magpies finished the half the stronger side, Wright had to save Bellamy's effort from distance and then watch as a Woodgate header off a corner hammered off the crossbar and bounced a yard off the line before being hacked to safety with the Everton defence rocking. The half time break was welcome when it came. Although the Blues started the second period with Rooney stinging Given's hands with another shot from the angle to resume proceedings, Newcastle appeared more composed and threatening in the opening quarter of an hour. However, it was Everton who had the most clear-cut opening when Alan Stubbs's diving header went straight at Given and the 'keeper was able to hold on to prevent the home side retaking the lead. Stubbs got a boot in the face for his trouble but was able to continue following treatment. Just after the hour mark, Everton were handed the opportunity to go ahead again in controversial circumstances. With Woodgate in close attendance and an arm around Campbell, the striker went to ground and Mr Barry pointed to the spot. Following a delay while Campbell had treatment on a hand injury and Bernard was attended to for an knee injury, David Unsworth stepped up to ram it past Given. Unlike the first goal, Newcastle looked a little rattled by going behind and Everton kept up the attacking momentum. Rooney broke through the middle and fed Pembridge when he might have gone on his own but Kerr took it off the Welshman's toe and the chance was gone. Not to be outdone, the Barcodes did remain a threat and with 13 minutes to go, Stubbs had to make a great saving challenge on Bellamy as he tried to wriggle though on goal. However, Newcastle looked a shadow of the side that has been so impressive in recent months. As Moyes used up time by bringing Naysmith on for Pembridge in the last 10 minutes, the Blues were able to keep them at bay and take the opportunity to counter-attack. A few times they could have extended the lead but Rooney was starting to tire slightly from his exertions in midweek and Campbell's first touch let him down on a few occasions. It was left to Wright to be the hero twice in injury time. First, Jermaine Jenas latched onto Bellamy's clever backheel in the area but Wright was well placed to smother the shot. Then, with the last chance of the match, Bramble connected with a corner from the right but the Everton 'keeper made a fantastic point-blank save to palm it over the bar. Overall, this was a pleasing return to form for Everton who demonstrated their intent from the first whistle, unlike their last two Premiership outings where they failed to really get going until after half-time. The decision to start with Rooney — given the need for the three points, it was the only sensible choice — was vindicated and the combination of Campbell and the young star continues to be a good one despite the former looking a little ponderous at times. Elsewhere, Pembridge looks the better bet on the left of midfield than Naysmith. Although Steve Watson had a poor game by his standards on the right, the width he increasingly provides along with the marauding Yobo gives the Blues more attacking options.
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| Everton (4-4-2) Blue shirts, white shirts, blue socks |
Newcastle
United (4-4-2) Black & white shirts, black shorts, white socks |
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