Newcastle Vs Everton — newcastle vs everton ends 2-3 as Barry stuns Howe
In a 3-2 defeat at St James' Park, newcastle vs everton finished with substitute Thierno Barry scoring a late winner that settled a frantic game. The result left Eddie Howe comparing the feeling to an earlier 3-2 loss at the same ground and raised fresh questions about Newcastle's form and fixture load.
Newcastle Vs Everton match turning points
Everton opened the scoring from a set piece when James Garner's corner found Jarrad Branthwaite, who flicked a header in at the far post. A deflected effort from Jacob Ramsey looped over Jordan Pickford to give the hosts a breakthrough, and just 105 seconds later Nick Pope spilled Dwight McNeil's swerving effort into the path of Beto, who smashed the ball into the empty net for Everton's second and what was described as his fourth Premier League goal of the season.
Newcastle responded when Jacob Murphy fired in from Joelinton's cross to level, but substitute Thierno Barry bundled Everton back in front straight from the restart and later produced the decisive finish. Sandro Tonali thought he had volleyed a stoppage-time equaliser only for Jordan Pickford to produce a stunning flying save to deny him.
Howe rues deja vu
Eddie Howe said: "I have a similar feeling" after the 3-2 defeat and admitted earlier this month he was not doing his job "well enough" as he embarked on a period of soul-searching. Howe added: "In relation to the Premier League, our form has not been good enough for a while. We know that. We take responsibility for that. It's been really frustrating for us - and that's the perils of Europe, I'm afraid. "
He also warned about the strain of a busy schedule: "We have tried to be laser-focused on every game and give every attention to every game with the same importance but, with the deluge of games, your focus can be swayed. "
Set-pieces and keeper errors
Set-pieces and goalkeeper mistakes played a decisive role. Branthwaite's header from Garner's corner found the net the inside of the post, while a spilled McNeil shot by Nick Pope allowed Beto to score. Beto later hit the bar with a chance after leaving Malick Thiaw behind, then was replaced by Thierno Barry, who went on to score the winner.
Substitutions and stomach illness
Howe made six changes after resting key players in a 3-2 Champions League win against Qarabag on Tuesday, starting Joelinton on the left, Nick Woltemade in midfield and Anthony Gordon up front. Howe later shifted Woltemade to No 9 and Gordon to the left, and brought on Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes for Anthony Elanga and Woltemade.
The match featured further disruption when Ramsey vomited repeatedly after emerging from the tunnel at the start of the second half and was replaced by Joe Willock. Everton also introduced Yoane Wissa, described as a £55m former Brentford centre-forward, while Woltemade is noted in the match details as a £69m Germany striker.
Form, fixtures and figures
Howe highlighted wider issues. He said: "It's really hard to explain" and described the situation as "hugely frustrating, desperately disappointing. " He added: "We think we're a good team, but we're wildly inconsistent, even within games. I don't see players not trying, I sometimes see them over-trying, but they're not playing smart enough. Chasing the game took a lot out of us. It's not a good look for us. "
Newcastle have now won just once in their last seven Premier League games and are languishing in 12th place in the top flight. They have kept only two clean sheets in 21 league games and have not kept a clean sheet in the 11 matches since they beat PSV Eindhoven 3-0 here on 21 January, having conceded 23 goals in that run. This was Newcastle's third consecutive home defeat for the first time since February 2021 under Steve Bruce, and fans chanted "Wake up!" as frustrations grew.
Everton's victory halted a recent defeat and saw their side respond to a loss to Manchester United on Monday Night Football, moving them back into the top eight and extending a run that left them unbeaten in their last six away from home. The outcome also served as a reminder of Newcastle's Champions League commitments: the club had secured a last-16 tie against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, and the fixture congestion was a recurring theme raised by Howe.
After rallying in the weeks following a 3-2 reverse to Brentford by winning four of their next five matches in all competitions, this defeat was described by observers as a huge step backwards for the Magpies and left lingering doubts over their Premier League campaign.
Closing: Thierno Barry's late strike sealed a 3-2 Everton win at St James' Park, Jordan Pickford made a key stoppage-time save from Sandro Tonali, and Eddie Howe was left to confront a familiar feeling of frustration as Newcastle's league form and fixture schedule were again called into question.
