On a dreary rain sodden night on Tyneside Newcastle Utd failed to hold out for the three points having led since the 15th minute through Alexander Isak’s nineteenth goal of the season as Everton came from behind to snatch a late equaliser
The opening goal came in the fifteenth minute courtesy of a fine pass by Harvey Barnes who was starting for the suspended Anthony Gordon and while the pass set up the goal, the Swedish International still had a bit of work to do, before gliding past the challenge of Jarred Branthwaite and placing the ball past the diving Jordan Pickford and into the bottom corner.
And it could have been more, but for England keeper and pantomime villain Pickford making two excellent saves – the first to block a fine Jacob Murphy's volley and then tipping over a powerful effort from Isak; having blocked an earlier effort by Barnes prior to Isak’s opener.
Pickford’s every touch brought up a cacophony of booing from all corners of the ground as the former Sunderland keeper swaggered and strutted like a demented peacock whenever the opportunity presented itself; be it taking free kicks from the halfway line or gyrating an exaggerated pose at corners, goal kicks or simply whenever it took his fancy. The only thing missing from his staged performance was him sitting astride the crossbar but no doubt the buffoon is working on that for future appearances in front of the Gallowgate!
The second half started very much like the first and after substitute James Garner saw his effort come back off the inside of the post hitting for Everton, Newcastle thought they had their second, when a quickly taken free-kick released Isak, who crossed for Dan Burn to convert, only for the goal to be ruled out after a long and laborious wait for the VAR review to be completed; resulting in Isak being deemed to be narrowly offside.
Newcastle continued to press, only to see Isak have an effort cleared off the line and Guimarães have a great effort tipped over before Everton’s lifeline came in the 86th minute when having ignored Everton’s claim for a penalty referee Harrington allowed a long passage of play to continue before the VAR official signaled that he needed to review his on pitch decision and take a look at the pitch side monitor. In going so, Harrington decided that Dummett, on as a late substitute for Lewis Hall was deemed to have impeded Ashley Young courtesy of a stray arm around Young’s neck before the pair fell to the ground. The penalty was given, and Calvert Lewin fired home for Everton to bring the scores level.
With nine minutes of time added on Newcastle searched in vain for a winner, while Everton resorted to tactics more akin to WWE on more than one occasion as a combination of throws, pulls, trips and physical blocks impeded Newcastle’s ever more frustrated team.
The penalty area in such situations seems to be deemed a no-go zone for referees to see anything untoward happening as time and time again shirt pulling and barging take precedence and challenges which if made outside the penalty would almost certainly result in a free kick, seem to be given impunity from any scrutiny. Which leads you to question what aspect of the game the VAR official sees the need to get involved in and what do they consider part and parcel of the game. Perhaps someone needs to put that question to Howard Webb – are you listening Michael Owen?
Some will view this game as a missed opportunity for Newcastle to take all three points but given the injuries and suspensions this squad is carrying; it would be harsh to criticise the team that Howe put out for their effort.
Evertonians meanwhile will be delighted with the point and while this was their 13th successive Premier League match without a win, having not won in the league since a 2-0 victory at Burnley on 16 December they will be hoping that this hard earned one point can become four when they face off against fellow strugglers Burnley at Goodison Park in the return fixture on Saturday afternoon,
The opening goal came in the fifteenth minute courtesy of a fine pass by Harvey Barnes who was starting for the suspended Anthony Gordon and while the pass set up the goal, the Swedish International still had a bit of work to do, before gliding past the challenge of Jarred Branthwaite and placing the ball past the diving Jordan Pickford and into the bottom corner.
And it could have been more, but for England keeper and pantomime villain Pickford making two excellent saves – the first to block a fine Jacob Murphy's volley and then tipping over a powerful effort from Isak; having blocked an earlier effort by Barnes prior to Isak’s opener.
Pickford’s every touch brought up a cacophony of booing from all corners of the ground as the former Sunderland keeper swaggered and strutted like a demented peacock whenever the opportunity presented itself; be it taking free kicks from the halfway line or gyrating an exaggerated pose at corners, goal kicks or simply whenever it took his fancy. The only thing missing from his staged performance was him sitting astride the crossbar but no doubt the buffoon is working on that for future appearances in front of the Gallowgate!
The second half started very much like the first and after substitute James Garner saw his effort come back off the inside of the post hitting for Everton, Newcastle thought they had their second, when a quickly taken free-kick released Isak, who crossed for Dan Burn to convert, only for the goal to be ruled out after a long and laborious wait for the VAR review to be completed; resulting in Isak being deemed to be narrowly offside.
Newcastle continued to press, only to see Isak have an effort cleared off the line and Guimarães have a great effort tipped over before Everton’s lifeline came in the 86th minute when having ignored Everton’s claim for a penalty referee Harrington allowed a long passage of play to continue before the VAR official signaled that he needed to review his on pitch decision and take a look at the pitch side monitor. In going so, Harrington decided that Dummett, on as a late substitute for Lewis Hall was deemed to have impeded Ashley Young courtesy of a stray arm around Young’s neck before the pair fell to the ground. The penalty was given, and Calvert Lewin fired home for Everton to bring the scores level.
With nine minutes of time added on Newcastle searched in vain for a winner, while Everton resorted to tactics more akin to WWE on more than one occasion as a combination of throws, pulls, trips and physical blocks impeded Newcastle’s ever more frustrated team.
The penalty area in such situations seems to be deemed a no-go zone for referees to see anything untoward happening as time and time again shirt pulling and barging take precedence and challenges which if made outside the penalty would almost certainly result in a free kick, seem to be given impunity from any scrutiny. Which leads you to question what aspect of the game the VAR official sees the need to get involved in and what do they consider part and parcel of the game. Perhaps someone needs to put that question to Howard Webb – are you listening Michael Owen?
Some will view this game as a missed opportunity for Newcastle to take all three points but given the injuries and suspensions this squad is carrying; it would be harsh to criticise the team that Howe put out for their effort.
Evertonians meanwhile will be delighted with the point and while this was their 13th successive Premier League match without a win, having not won in the league since a 2-0 victory at Burnley on 16 December they will be hoping that this hard earned one point can become four when they face off against fellow strugglers Burnley at Goodison Park in the return fixture on Saturday afternoon,
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