NEWCASTLE v EVERTON RECAP: Late Cleverley header wins it for Toffees
Everton produced a last-gasp win over Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday.
The Toffees managed to find an injury-time winner through Tom Cleverley to record their first victory in five outings.
The only goal of the contest came in the 93rd minute when Rob Elliot punched Gerard Deulofeu's corner straight to Cleverley who produced a looping header from just inside the area for his first goal for the club.
The win allowed Roberto Martinez's Toffees to move back to ninth position as Steve McClaren's unfortunate Magpies dropped to 18th.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Newcastle United: 0
Everton: 1 (Tom Cleverley 90+3')
St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - 51,682
TALKING POINTS
- Is this the win Everton needs to spark a mid-season revival following a run of subpar results?
- Newcastle can't take a trick at the moment. With a little luck, is their for good enough to stave off relegation?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Newcastle head to West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day when Everton host Stoke City at Goodison Park.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great win today, fully deserved the 3 points, top performance by the lads great support as usual by the fans!!! #HappyBoxingDay #Toffees
— Aaron Lennon (@AaronLennon12) December 26, 2015Tom Cleverley was delighted that his first #EFC goal earned the Blues all three points against @NUFC... #NEWvEFC pic.twitter.com/FN3fdlrU30
— Everton (@Everton) December 26, 2015Very hard to miss the points after the good fight we have led tonight, St James' Park deserved a better result... #NEWEVE
— Moussa Sissoko (@MoussaSissoko) December 26, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Everton boss Martinez on Cleverley:
"Tom has been given really unfair treatment over the last three years.
"Tom Cleverley, I know him well, but the way he has been performing at our football club, he has been back to himself, back to his very, very best."
Newcastle's McClaren on the manner of the defeat:
"I have lost quite a few games in the last minute and cruel endings, but never before have I felt so upset and disappointed for a set of players than I did when I walked into that dressing room.
"They didn't deserve that. They gave everything - in the second half they were magnificent."
