Goodison Reaches Peak Bear-Pit as Everton Triumph Against the Odds
If there was a feeling after the morale-sapping home defeat to Wolves last Sunday that Everton had, perhaps, gone to the well of their home crowd’s vociferous backing one too many times, tonight illustrated in the most stirring way just how deep runs the passion and devotion of this club’s long-suffering fans.
Supporters have answered the clarion call — initially unbidden but increasingly at the request of a struggling team — already this season, starting with the fevered atmosphere against Arsenal in December that carried the Blues to what was, before the win over Leeds last month, their last home win in the Premier League.
And if, as was suggested on these pages that the Leeds game saw the Goodison Park bear-pit cranked up to 11, tonight shattered even Nigel Tufnell’s ambitious ceiling in terms of intensity. This famous old ground has played host to some raucous atmospheres but surely never has the Old Lady quaked to such a ferocious din for as long as it did tonight.
Grasping the gravity of a situation that meant even a draw would have done little for the club’s parlous position, Evertonians shed their nerves at kick-off and dragged the players through 90-odd minutes of fire, brimstone, controversy and the bizarre interruption of an anti-oil protester cable-tying his neck to one of the posts early in the second half to what could end up being one of the most important results in the club’s history.
The crowd seemed to live every throw-in, every tackle, every refereeing decision, practically every kick of what was, in truth, an ugly game of football played against the backdrop of gnawing anxiety leading up the game so tangible you could have cut it with a knife. Even as the odds stacked up against the Blues — the loss of Donny van de Beek and Jordan Pickford to illness before-hand, being deprived of kicking towards the Gwladys Street in the second half and then the infuriating circumstances behind Allan’s red card — the fans maintained the volume.
And then… sweet, blessed relief as Alex Iwobi pivoted from being a ceaseless bundle of industry chasing black and white shirts around the park to scorer of what was, in truth, a lovely goal and one worthy of settling any game, never mind one as ugly as this.
In a purely footballing sense, Everton offered desperately little. Newcastle, with the benefit of having had Eddie Howe in the job longer than Frank Lampard and with some savvy recruitment having beefed up what was a woeful side prior to January, were more composed and penetrative over the 90 minutes but came up against the bristling intensity of a Blues team that responded to the urgency of the moment in every way in terms of sheer commitment.
The Magpies didn’t shrink from the ferocity of the atmosphere in the way that Leeds seemed to; indeed they gave as good as they got in what was a very physical contest that straddled the line between legal and not. So it was fitting that referee Craig Pawson, having cultivated a permissive stance over the course of the game, only booked Allan for his cynical and late tackle on Allan Saint-Maximin with nine minutes left of the regulation 90.
His decision, however, at the prompting of the increasingly maligned Stuart Attwell sitting a couple of hundred miles away in Stockley Park, to upgrade that yellow card to red was shocking and it simply ratcheted up the fury in the crowd while simultaneously under-cutting what little chance Everton seemed to have of getting the victory they so badly needed.
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Enter Iwobi, the unlikely hero of the hour, a player whose only previous goals in a Blue jersey had come at Wolves in each of the last two seasons and who was, perhaps, only in the starting XI because of Van de Beek’s absence.
By the aftermath of Sunday, it felt as though Everton had made a lie of the refrain that there is enough quality in the ranks to drag themselves clear of relegation this season but together with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iwobi produced a preciously rare moment of brilliance just when the Toffees needed it following Allan’s dismissal.
While the cry from supporters since Sunday had been for the manager to return to a three-man central midfield, Lampard was moved to reinstate Iwobi to the starting XI in place of Van de Beek, deploy Demarai Gray and the indefatigable Anthony Gordon either side of Richarlison, and move Ben Godfrey out to left-back to accommodate Michael Keane's return at centre-half.
Though Everton had the first chance of the game when Iwobi won a corner that Godfrey managed to get his head to but could only plant into Martin Dubravka's arms, they managed to create precious little during a tense first 45 minutes in which the visitors, in very good form coming into the evening, looked more and more comfortable as the half wore on.
Chris Wood headed straight at the impressive Asmir Begovic in the 11th minute, Ryan Fraser fired a half-volley well wide and Wood despatched a header off another set-piece narrowly over as the Magpies looked the more likely to score before the break.
Joe Willock, meanwhile, had the first effort on target of the second period when his deflected shot was comfortably gathered by Begovic before proceedings were disrupted for more than eight minutes by the one-man protest in front of the Gwladys Street and had to be cut loose.
When play resumed, Everton didn't manage to fashion an opportunity until Gray sliced a half-volley over the crossbar from around 12 yards out on the hour mark after good work by Seamus Coleman while Emil Krafth saw a decent long-range effort dealt with by Begovic a few minutes later.
And the Bosnian had to be at his best in the 70th minute when Miguel Almiron beat Godfrey down the outside and cut the ball back for Bruno Guimarães but Begovic pawed the ball away from his goal superbly.
What had been a fractious affair throughout got testier as the second half wore on and when Krafth chopped Richarlison down on the edge of the box, it handed Gordon an opportunity from a free-kick but his effort couldn't find its way through the defensive wall.
Everton kept the ball after the resulting corner had been cleared, though, and Gordon stung Dubravka's palms with a strong drive after excellent footwork had taken him away from two Newcastle players.
Gray was replaced by Calvert-Lewin with a quarter of an hour of the regulation 90 minutes to go and he was almost handed a quick chance to break the deadlock but Richarlison's whipped cross in the 80th minute was just too far ahead of him.
Everton's hopes of grabbing a vital victory appeared to have been dashed, however, three minutes later when Allan scythed Saint-Maximin down in full flight and Pawson stepped into the limelight to upgrade the yellow to red to the dismay and fury of the Blues' players and crowd.
Newcastle were denied the chance to make their numerical superiority count in what ended up being more than an additional quarter-hour's play by dogged Everton defending by all nine remaining outfield players and Begovic who denied Willock with another good save at his near post.
And then, after Gordon was denied a penalty when barged over in the box, the roof came off Goodison as Iwobi plundered the winner with 98 minutes on the clock. Coleman, who was back to his tenacious best, won a full-blooded challenge against Saint-Maximin, bouncing off the French winger in the centre-circle and moving the ball quickly forward to Iwobi.
The Nigerian glided inside Dan Burn, left him for dead and found Calvert-Lewin on the edge of the box who composed himself when it looked like his first touch might have got away from him before turning and laying a lovely reverse pass into Iwobi's path where he slotted across the keeper and into the far corner to send Goodison wild.
On the sidelines, Everton's management team erupted, with Lampard admitting afterwards that he might have broken a bone in his hand in the process while the Goodison crowd, which had fought every moment along with the players all night, turned into a mass of limbs.
Fabian Schär had a wild effort at goal fly off target as Newcastle tried to avoid a second successive 1-0 defeat after going on a nine-match unbeaten to haul themselves clear of danger but the night was to be Everton's.
With low confidence verging on crippling among the players after what was Lampard’s fourth League defeat in five, Everton sitting above the drop zone on goal difference, Newcastle in a rich vein of form and then Allan’s sending off appearing to cut off the Blues’ avenue to victory, this was an uplifting triumph against mounting odds.
It was another evening where, to a man (including the beleaguered Michael Keane who was excellent), the players rallied to put in a battling display that, if nothing else, proved once more that they do possess the fight when the chips are down. If things go the way Evertonians hope over the remainder of the season, it has the potential to go down in Goodison folklore as one of Everton’s most memorable matches.
But for this to prove to be the turning point that the Leeds game wasn’t, the players have to maintain this effort and commitment while finding a higher level of football in the coming weeks. This was all fire and little finesse and that’s not going to be enough in many of the forthcoming fixtures.
After Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final, one that will test the Blues’ dreadful away form once again, the manager and his staff have the international break to work with those players who won’t be away with their national teams to continue developing an effective playing style that can grind out the remaining points we need.
Until then, the catharsis that accompanied this dramatic victory by the 10-man Toffees will afford the fans and players alike a little room to breathe before the League programme resumes at the London Stadium on 3rd April.
Reader Comments (55)
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2 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:45:36
3 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:45:58
I worry on a 2pm on a Sunday, it'll be as flat as a pancake. So we need the players to inspire the crowd as well.
4 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:50:10
Lampard needs to find a solution to our midfield because, it's been said a million times, 2 doesn't work for us. I'd like to see Iwobi tried as the furthest forward of a midfield 3. He seems more comfortable central and doesn't stop running. He's completely ineffective on the wing. Just a thought.
5 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:53:40
A trip to Wembley could be a confidence-booster for everyone associated with the club. Every side is beatable and we are close.
The trip to the 1984 Milk Cup Final ignited the rest of that season, leading to an FA Cup win. Trips to Wembley and winning cups is what it's all about!
I'm desperate for a big performance at the weekend and our fans deserve a day out at Wembley… COYB UTFT!!
6 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:03:57
Brilliant Lyndon, brilliant.
7 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:28:57
Suspect it will be Gomes. That will be okay against Burnley but he will be a disaster against West Ham and Man Utd, as he can't string two good games together.
As he often does, he looked solid in his brief time yesterday but we have seen this before. With whatever lurgy is going around the squad, it may be we only have a limited number of players available. COYB
8 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:29:14
Unless we start playing as a team, we are going to get our bottoms handed to us on a plate over the next few games.
The forwards are so far detached from the rest of the team, it's unreal.
9 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:30:30
What else would you want from reality entertainment?
10 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:46:33
Absolutely fantastic and a much needed 3 points. I'll take a smash and grab every game for the rest of the season now starting on Sunday!
11 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:12:47
Gomes over-plays and can't tackle. Davies and Delph are injured. Good to have Godfrey back at left-back, he's a good defender but offers little going forward.
I still can't believe we let Digne go (Mykelenko should have been bought as his back up, to give him time to develop).
Hopefully the 4-2-1-3 will continue with Gomes stepping up to Allan's role and the team spirit from last night will see us through.
12 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:41:29
The sending off was one of those decisions when viewed at normal speed was definitely a yellow, but looked much worse when slowed down. I can see why the card got upgraded to a straight red.
I suppose on the back of the non-handball VAR decision against Man City, the crowd are already predisposed to vent their fury at what seems like unfairness coming from Stockley Park, but taken in isolation, I thought the upgrading to a red seemed inevitable.
The biggest win for Everton was getting the crowd back onside after Wolves. Scarcely an empty seat despite the game going on something like 16-17 minutes longer. It sounded amazing in my front room. Wish I'd been in the ground for that one.
13 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:52:50
That was one of the worst refereeing performances I've seen in a long time, and I'm not including the red card decision in that.
He was atrocious and made bad decision after bad decision.
14 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:00:53
Although I thought Doucoure had another poor game once Allan went off he really grew in stature and started to have a real impact which he hadnt done much previously. Also whether it was a virus that kept Pickford out of the side or maybe Frank had heard about him getting wound up by Newcastle fans, the decision turned out well. I thought Begovic brought a calmness to the back 4 which gave them confidence, for me he starts the next game. Special mention for 2 men who have taken a lot of stick during their Everton careers Keane and Holgate, I thought they were magnificent and apart from a header from a corner from Wood other than that their forwards never created any problems thanks to Keane and Holgate. I think left back is Godreys best position the only one concern last night is when the Newcastle player picked the ball up just inside our half and out paced Godfrey who fell over trying to defend.
Again another top performance from Anthony Gordon who just gets better and better with every game. My only criticism is he doesnt shoot enough and the same can be said of Gray who so far hasnt played as well under Frank as he did under the previous manager.
At this stage of the reason results are far more important than performances and last nights game was so very important on so many fronts. Hopefully with DCL now back and ready to play irrespective of where he ends up playing next season, I want him to show why he is Englands understudy to Harry Kane and that was a great lay off for Iwobis goal. I admit I have slagged off iwobi loads of times and I think rightfully but last night he ran his socks off and at long last had the belief to play it to DCL then run into the box for the return and finished with a great finish. maybe just maybe that Frank can get the best out of him.
15 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:15:27
That atmosphere inspired all our players to give it their all: A for Effort all round; as for Attainment, well that still needs some work.
UTFT
16 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:55:58
Watching the game (at home) I really felt that the referee was doing his utmost to lose us the game. The red card was a disgrace. You can imagine Twatwell in Pawson's ear as he watched the replay, convincing him it was a red. Bad decision after bad decision. Fortunately the goal was indisputable, because if there had have been any chance whatsoever to disallow it, he would have.
One thing I will say about watching the game on Amazon is how nice it is to have the option to turn the commentary off - especially with fucking Shearer as co-commentator.
17 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:44:01
This seemed even better than Gray's late winner against the Gunners and Jag's late screamer against RS.
Talking of decisions how do RS get the weakest team left in the Euro draw ?
18 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:46:41
19 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:00:32
20 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:35:08
21 Posted 18/03/2022 at 13:07:18
The manager has a major rebuilding job ahead of him in the summer but he certainly seems committed to the cause and with current player contracts running out there will be scope for new additions. He can at least make a start to putting a stamp on the way he wants us to play. It will take time but if we stay up were in chance going forward.
We have to avoid the drop!
22 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:12:27
The Red card has to be declared void. If not, it proves what a lot of us Blues feel, that EFC are definitely judged under different rules.
Now for a trip to the Palace and keep the momentum going. COYBs !!!
23 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:12:54
24 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:13:54
I think we should put the best team we can field on the pitch on Sunday, there is an international break after that and it would be great to go into it with a bit of confidence and a semi-final to look forward to.
Our destiny is still in our hands and I have more belief than a few days ago that we will climb out of this mess - surely we have to win at least a couple of away games this season and stop that rot! DCL looked good when he came on and it allowed us to move players further up the pitch knowing he had a good chance of winning the ball and holding it up, Richy tried hard but doesn't offfer anywhere near as much as he does when playing out on the left.
COYB!
25 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:40:26
Stuck here in Central Florida, I have become increasingly depressed these last few weeks but, when that goal went in, this 71-year-old screamed like a newborn baby, so loud I'm sure the whole neighborhood heard it.
A game which proved that hard work and determination can overcome a lack of quality and ability.
26 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:40:35
I can't fault the effort and commitment which has been lacking all too often this season, we need to see it in every game now.
Something has really got to be done about the standard of refereeing and the VAR application. It's unfair, incompetent and inconsistent and could cost Everton dearly at the end of the season
It would be interesting reading if the PL undertook an honest review of referee performances and VAR decisions in each game over the season and published their findings with a commitment to make changes. It will never happen of course but it can't be allowed to continue like this.
I know I can be accused of wearing blue-tinted glasses (and I make no apology for that) but it's happening every weekend all through the league.
What worries me is that we begin to accept this level of officialdom as the “norm” and things go from bad to worse.
27 Posted 18/03/2022 at 17:59:44
Here is my theory - its to do with the formation. Playing 4231 the front 4 players are too isolated from the rest. If Coleman won the ball in midfield he would not have been able to lay it off to Iwobi as he would have been too far advanced. Options would have been to play a long ball forward or a pass to Iwobi’s feet but he would have his back to goal. In too many of these sorts of situations the play broke down.
Once down to 10 men we were forced to play 441. Coleman wins the ball in midfield, Iwobi is nearby for the simple pass and the rest is history.
With 11 men we had only 6 who were in a position to work the ball forward from the back. With 10 men we had 8 available. Hence the more joined up football.
In order for the original formation to have worked the three forward-supporting players would need to be sitting a lot closer to the defence until the ball is won and then moving up to support the lone striker when on attack.
Does this make any sense?
28 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:13:28
Now to get some consistency and learn from last night.
Shame about the latest amateur referee, to be in charge of our game, Everton, are getting no luck and very rough justice.
For me from next season, scrap Stockley Park, and new rules means all VAR decisions are done pitch side.
But if a referee with in 20 yards of the challenge can’t make a decision, then there’s serious question about the purpose of the match referee.
Now to beat Palace.
29 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:23:54
What an utterly corrupt league this is.
30 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:26:28
I wasn't impressed by Newcastle at all, their relative position in the table serving to illustrate how far we've fallen from our realistic level.
A below-par Calvert-Lewin cameo showed how their defence might fare against some of the better teams.
31 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:27:31
I'd be interested to hear the "Reasoning".
32 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:35:22
33 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:37:15
While you could argue the follow through contact and maybe that could take it down to a yellow, if it appeared on screen that Allan didn't pull back after knowing he wouldn't get the ball then that's just enough, I'm afraid to say.
Sorry Dave, I hate disagreeing with you. To my credit you weren't there when I read before posting.
It should not be a three-game suspension though. And seriously, not trying to wind anyone up here, I would rather it not have been called at all.
34 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:42:07
It shouldn't come into it but you just know that someone there would have also considered how it "Looked" if they'd admitted two mistakes to us in a couple of weeks - irrespective of the reality.
35 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:46:25
36 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:49:05
37 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:53:17
A proper 4-2-3-1 requires an exceptional two I think, and it's never really worked for us since Barry and Jimmy Mac. Allan and Doucoure showed early promise as a pair, but haven't delivered consistently. Don't think there's another one of our midfielders capable of playing it as a primary role. Delph pre-injuries maybe.
Without Mina fit, only other shape I think fits is the 4-3-3, but I think that'd only work with exceptional ball players at fullbacks to send some long balls forward to goal scoring wingers like the shite do. We don't have these players either. I think a 4-3-3 could work maybe with Rondon, Calvert-Lewin, and Richarlison as the front 3, so the forward lumping doesn't just rely on one Number 9 taking a kicking. I think those 3 together would be a nightmare, but Gordon is currently undroppable!
So, all waffle aside, 4-5-1 for me on Sunday please:
Begovic
Kenny Holgate Keane Godfrey
Gordon Gomes Iwobi Doucouré Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin
Gray, Rondon and Townsend from the bench if we end up chasing it.
38 Posted 18/03/2022 at 19:17:55
39 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:07:51
Not Gomes please. Try Holgate in that role with Branthwaite in his back position?
40 Posted 19/03/2022 at 00:47:21
Though born and bred very close to The Grand Old Lady, I have been living in Christchurch, New Zealand, for many years and I mainly rely on ToffeeWeb for the Blue's News and very grateful for it, My thanks go to you, Lyndon and Michael, for the site and thanks also to all the contributors for your offerings.
If I may I would especially thank Christine Foster, Danny O'Neill and Colin Glassar for their comments. I am on their wavelength and fully agree with what they say.
My thanks again, and God Bless the Team and all Evertonians.
41 Posted 19/03/2022 at 03:13:19
Nice to know there's another Toffee in this neck of the woods – I live just south of you in Lincoln. I've bumped into a very few others but there are far too many of the red sort around. Hope you are keeping well and that the results pick up from here on!
42 Posted 19/03/2022 at 05:44:13
I was thinking about the big drop, and after the first season in Div 2 I enjoyed the games what with Dave Hickson and John Willie Parker goal-scoring madmen and Tommy Eglington banging in 5 in one match.
I don't want that to happen again though. I want some trophies before I go to that big stadium in the sky!!! Take Care.
43 Posted 19/03/2022 at 07:23:09
44 Posted 19/03/2022 at 08:06:01
45 Posted 19/03/2022 at 08:26:35
46 Posted 19/03/2022 at 08:26:45
47 Posted 19/03/2022 at 10:27:37
Bernie, thanks for the mention. Humbled sir.
I spent time in Christchurch. Well, the military base at Burnham to be precise, but got to spend some time in the city. It was a couple of years after the earthquakes. I'd read about the impact, but to see it first hand brought the scale of the damage home.
48 Posted 19/03/2022 at 12:13:03
49 Posted 19/03/2022 at 16:54:31
50 Posted 19/03/2022 at 21:29:25
Regardless of how views and opinions may differ, it all relates back to the one thing that binds us together. Something I can't remember how I ended up being blessed with.
Everton. We just are and always will be.
51 Posted 19/03/2022 at 22:18:41
Then again, we might just notice reds more because they're invariably louder.
Just thinking about Blues down this way - I've a vague memory that there used to be a Christchurch supporters club, perhaps called Bluesaders, years ago when the internet was new-ish. I've seen nothing about it for ages though.
52 Posted 19/03/2022 at 22:46:31
Chris, I can't recall Christchurch having a Supporters Club, otherwise, I would have been a member.
You are right about the lack of Everton shirts. Plenty of other clubs but not ours. I did meet the Team though back in the 1980s and had my photo published in the Christchurch Star handcuffing two players together. I spent a couple of hours with Howard Kendall and the full Team telling anecdotes. Cosmic!!!
Gosh, I hope they beat the Palace COYB
53 Posted 20/03/2022 at 01:58:05
54 Posted 20/03/2022 at 05:51:36
I am doing okay, dreaded heart disease, too much butter on my toast when I was a kid! But doing ok, just have to keep on with the beta blockers. asprins and some other stuff for the rest of my days! Waikato hospital were very good, had a couple of procedures but came out the other end okay, not something I want to do again!
Thanks too for the kind mentions, I think I remarked the other day, that it must be about 17 years since I first posted on ToffeeWeb, it's been my one and only go-to place for all things Everton. I have moved around a lot over the years, this is my second spell in New Zealand, had 13 years in Rotorua before setting off for Brisbane for about the same amount of time before heading over to France for a few years... mum always called me a gypsy...
Back in the North Island now, after a brief spell in Richmond / Nelson, just a small place in Hawera I am doing up... its a long way from Goodison, I am determined to make it to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock (I used to get my tyres from Metro Tyres opposite the dock gates).
Very much a Scotland Road girl, when I go home, it's like finding my own Tribe again!.
Stay safe and well Bernie!
55 Posted 20/03/2022 at 07:08:19
As I have bionic hips and also a knee – plus a triple heart bypass – arthritis in hands and back and very hard of hearing (pardon?) and knowing how I felt after Thursday's match, I was concerned if you were put under stress.
I am originally a Walton boy then moved to Gingerbread Ormskirk in my youth. Three years in the Irish Guards then joined the Lancs Police. After 10 years, came to New Zealand in the Police, stationed in Christchurch, and lived here ever since with my wife Sheila and 3 children.
Of course we are empty nesters now and looking forward to our Diamond Wedding Anniversary in June (please God) . I just want us Evertonians to enjoy a trophy now before I join Dixie Dean and the rest of the Gang in that Stadium in the sky.
But I am pleased, love, that you are well – just wait until you are taking 12 tablets every morning!!! Tara Well
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1 Posted 18/03/2022 at 06:58:00
There was effort, Oh, boy, was there effort, but the only level of football class was the goal, when Iwobi, yes, it was him, I'd cursed his selection, but it was him, who burst through, exchanged a brilliant one two with the much maligned Calvert-Lewin and then coolly placed his finish into the net.
In many ways we were outplayed, Pawson's poor refereeing added to our problems, but we fought. Hebraic, rather than Hellenistic, but for once we had the luck.
Some were better than others, but all gave their all. Begovic exuded confidence, Coleman defended with all he had and exhorted the others, Gordon's skill has steel and the crowd made it a bear pit.
My angina was making me breathless, but it was one of those matches which reminded me how I fell in love with Everton when Dave Hickson epitomised courage and effort.
Well done, but don't forget Lyndon's advice to find a little bit more football class, against better opponents, effort may not be enough.
I'm not sure the cup game is that relevant, and Lampard may be tempted to give his key performers a rest on Sunday. A semi-final at Wembley against City or Liverpool could shred our fragile confidence. I wouldn't be over upset if Palace won a tight game.
COYB.