Newcastle Vs Everton: 'Not the sign of a top team' as Magpies lose 3-2 at St James' Park

In a telling reversal at St James' Park, newcastle vs everton ended 3-2 as substitute Thierno Barry bundled home a late winner — a result that deepened Newcastle United's Premier League malaise at a time when the club is also preparing for a Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona.

Newcastle Vs Everton: late twist as Thierno Barry seals the win

Everton restored the lead twice and finally took the game when Thierno Barry, on as a substitute, scored the decisive goal seconds after Jacob Murphy's second-half leveller. The match featured an opening headed finish from Jarrad Branthwaite and a second for Everton from Beto following a Nick Pope spill, with Beto's finish recorded as his fourth Premier League goal of the season.

Branthwaite's corner, Ramsey's deflection and a frantic first half

James Garner's corner found Branthwaite's flicked header, which brushed the far post and went in, and Jacob Ramsey’s deflected shot looped over Jordan Pickford to briefly put Newcastle level before Everton regained the lead within 105 seconds when Dwight McNeil's shot was spilled by Nick Pope into Beto's path.

Howe's changes, unusual positions and squad toll

Eddie Howe made six changes after giving a number of key players some rest following the 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday. Howe started Joelinton on the left, Nick Woltemade in midfield and Anthony Gordon as centre-forward; Woltemade, described in the context as a £69m Germany striker, was later shifted to No 9 while Gordon moved to the left. Howe admitted he has not been doing his job "well enough" and said he embarked on a period of soul-searching.

Signs of strain: injuries, illness and substitutions

The game produced further disruption at the restart to the second half when Jacob Ramsey vomited repeatedly on the pitch and was replaced by Joe Willock. Anthony Elanga and Woltemade were later substituted for Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes as Howe continued to tweak his attack. Everton also made attacking changes: Beto, making his first start since December, was replaced by Thierno Barry, while Yoane Wissa came on — the former Brentford forward described in the context as a £55m signing.

Defensive frailties and broader consequences for Newcastle

Newcastle's defensive problems were underlined repeatedly: the side have kept only two clean sheets in 21 league games and had not managed a shutout in the 11 games since beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0 at St James' Park on 21 January, conceding 23 goals in that span. The defeat left Newcastle languishing in 12th place in the top flight and with just one win in their last seven Premier League matches — a run that prompted Howe to say, "In relation to the Premier League, our form has not been good enough for a while. "

Stoppage-time drama and Everton's away form

Sandro Tonali thought he had volleyed a stoppage-time equaliser, only for Jordan Pickford to produce an extraordinary flying save to deny Newcastle and secure Everton's victory. The result extended Everton's fine away form — they remained unbeaten in their last six away matches and climbed back into the top eight after responding to a recent defeat to Manchester United.

Rain fell incessantly as the final whistle blew and Eddie Howe wandered the pitch alone while Everton celebrated; the outcome was described in the context as a huge step backwards and "not a good look" for a side whose Champions League campaign, which will soon see them face Barcelona in the last 16, appears to be taking a toll on Premier League performances. Newcastle have won four of their next five matches in all competitions after the Brentford reverse, a rally Howe had noted players undertook to show they were "fighting for the manager, " but the club now face a crowded fixture list and mounting questions over consistency.

Newcastle's next confirmed fixtures are unclear in the provided context; Everton's immediate schedule is also unclear in the provided context.