Newcastle pull ahead of Man Utd

Newcastle secured a 4-1 victory over Everton, maintaining their third-place position two points ahead of Manchester United after matchday 33 of the Premier League.

Against a struggling second-to-last side, Newcastle maintained their strong form to score four goals. Striker Callum Wilson scored a brace, while Joelinton and Jacob Murphy both found the net, helping Newcastle overtake Man Utd, solidify their place in the Top 4, and move closer to securing their first Champions League spot in 21 years.

Newcastle (in white shirts) celebrate the goal that sealed their 4-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, during the 33rd round of the Premier League on April 27, 2023. Photo: AP

The last time Newcastle played in the Champions League group stage was in the 2002-2003 season under Bobby Robson, during Alan Shearer's tenure. This season, manager Eddie Howe has brought balance to Newcastle, even though the club, owned by the richest man in football, hasn't yet spent heavily on new players. The three points at Everton are proof of Newcastle's ambition, as they have won seven of their last eight matches. In their last two games, they also scored 10 goals.

Midfielder Joelinton was the inspiration behind the visitors' emphatic victory. In the 28th minute, Joelinton dribbled into the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford couldn't hold onto. The ball rebounded perfectly for Wilson to tap it in, opening the scoring. Then, in the 72nd minute, Joelinton himself headed in a goal from a perfect cross by Joe Willock.

Everton collapsed and conceded a third goal three minutes later, a superb strike from Wilson. Receiving the ball outside the penalty area, the English striker curled it into the top corner, giving Pickford no chance to touch it. Wilson is maintaining his form with six goals in his last six games.

The situation where Wilson opened the scoring. Photo: PA

The home side pulled one back through Dwight McNeil, but Newcastle pressed on to score a fourth after an incredible piece of skill from Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker received the ball on the left, dribbled past a host of Everton players before passing to Wilson at the far post to complete his brace. The visitors surrounded Isak after the goal, to show their appreciation even though he didn't score.

Everton failed to win for the sixth consecutive game, leaving them second-to-last in the table, two points behind safety. Before the match, Goodison Park filled the stadium with smoke and cheers. But the club's run of 69 consecutive seasons in the top flight of English football is in danger of ending.

Tournament list

Everton : Pickford, Godfrey, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gana-Gueye (Garner 82), Doucoure, McNeil, Onana (Maupay 73), Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin (Simms 82)

Newcastle : Pope, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Targett (Burn 68), Longstaff (Isak 74), Guimares, Willock (Anderson 87), Almiron (Murphy 68), Wilson (Gordon 87), Joelinton

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