Perez talk of the Toon as game to forget turns into one to remember
Newcastle 3 Everton 2
NEWCASTLE United produced a stunning comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat Everton 3-2 at St James’ Park.
Dominic Calvert-lewin had given the Toffees an early lead, before Jordan Pickford controversially remained on the field after bringing down Salomon Rondon in the area when the Venezuelan appeared certain to score.
Matt Ritchie missed the resultant spot-kick, before Richarlison doubled Everton’s lead, and Newcastle were 2-0 down at the break.
Yet a magnificent second-half fightback saw Rondon pull a goal back, before an Ayoze Perez brace earned Rafa Benitez’s men a fifth straight victory on Tyneside.
Here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh takes us through what we learned.
NEWCASTLE’S NEW-LOOK MIDFIELD TAKES TIME TO BED IN
With Sean Longstaff ruled out – potentially until the end of the season – Benitez was forced to make a change in the United engine room for the first time in two months.
Isaac Hayden unsurprisingly retained his place in the XI, given his magnificent form in 2019 so far, but the question was always on going to be on who would partner him in midfield.
Benitez obviously wanted a like-forlike replacement for Longstaff given how well the partnership with Hayden had been working, and that’s why the Newcastle manager opted for Ki’s calmness in possession and the South Korean’s ability to keep play moving.
Jonjo Shelvey, meanwhile, returned to the bench after voluntarily playing an hour for the Under-23s last week, but the 27-year-old has not yet done enough to convince Benitez he is fit to return to the starting XI.
This was Ki’s first Newcastle appearance since December 22 due to his involvement in the Asian Cup and then the hamstring injury he suffered, and the 30-year-old simply could not match the levels Longstaff has shown in recent weeks during the first half.
Andre Gomes was tremendous for the visitors, and he ran the game during the opening 45 minutes – while Hayden and Ki were largely passengers.
The Magpies engine room improved after the break, particularly once Newcastle reverted to a 4-2-3-1 system, but it was evident Ki was lacking in match practice.
Shelvey was introduced for the final 10 minutes or so in Ki’s place, too, and the Magpies turned the game on its head.
Longstaff’s absence was felt, but somehow Newcastle found a way to win – and their new-look midfield will have time to bed in over the coming weeks.
INJUSTICE AT ST JAMES’ – BUT NEWCASTLE OVERCOME THAT, AND THEIR OWN INEPTITUDE
This looked like being one of those afternoons where absolutely everything went wrong for Newcastle; it certainly did during the first half.
Not only were the Magpies abject before the break – and deservedly trailed to Calvert-lewin’s opener – but they were also on the receiving end of the most bizarre refereeing decision seen at St James’ Park since Ritchie’s penalty was overturned and a free-kick awarded to Burton Albion during the Championship campaign.
In the 29th minute, Ritchie curled a deep cross into the area, Pickford came to try and collect it, but he misjudged it horribly.
The ball then dropped to Rondon who, six yards out and with an open goal to aim at, was just about to slot it into the net.
Pickford decided to rugby tackle Rondon – he used both his arm and shoulder to bring down the Newcastle forward – and referee Lee Mason