Everton defeated Newcastle United 1-0 at St James' Park on Monday, with Thierno Barry's controversial second-half goal deepening the home side's crisis under manager Matthias Jaissle.
Barry tapped in the only goal in the 49th minute after Newcastle goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček let a shot from Tyrique George squirm under his body. Jaissle said referee John Brooks failed to call a "clear foul" on Fabian Schar in the build-up. Newcastle ended with 10 men after substitute Jacob Ramsey received two yellow cards in stoppage time for a studs-up challenge on Harrison Armstrong. Everton had earlier chances when Jake O'Brien and Harrison Armstrong both shot wide late in the first half.
Newcastle fans jeered their team at halftime and full time. The home side's first shot on target came only in the 85th minute. Late in the game, Anthony Elanga met a cross from Harvey Barnes at the back post, but the ball rolled along the line without crossing. The defeat left Newcastle 13th in the 20-team Premier League while Everton climbed to seventh after nine rounds, and Newcastle has now lost four of its last five games in all competitions.
Jaissle acknowledged the supporters' frustration, saying: "Big frustration, big disappointment. I have the responsibility, and I also take that as manager of this club." He conceded his team had been caught "sleeping" by Everton. Everton manager David Moyes said beating Newcastle twice in four days was "not an easy thing to do for any club," adding: "They're so good, they give everything they've got." Defender James Tarkowski called it "probably our best performance of the season."
Everton completed a four-day double over Newcastle after winning 3-1 in the League Cup on Thursday. Barry's goal was his fourth league goal of the season, and the France Under-21 striker is Everton's only recognized striker following the summer sale of Beto. Moyes said Jack Grealish was "unavailable" for a second successive game following a disciplinary breach, but added: "Of course there is" a way back. Eddie Howe was a hard act to follow after four years at the club, and summer departures of big-name players have made Jaissle's job harder.
