Eddie Howe watched on as Everton won at St James’ Park.
A strange game where Newcastle United made things so difficult for themselves.
Everton have so little quality going forward and were gifted three goals.
Poor marking on a corner allowed Branthwaite to score the opening goal.
Then Newcastle United settled down and worked so hard to get the equaliser through Ramsey, only to shoot themselves in the foot by conceding within two minutes (Beto) of getting back to 1-1.
Then as if that wasn’t bad enough, at last getting a fine second equaliser when Murphy volleyed home, this time it took only one minute to shoot themselves in the other foot, as Barry was gifted the chance to score what proved to be the winning goal.
Eddie Howe clearly stunned by how United ended up losing this match: “A tough game for us. We worked so hard to get back in the game twice and then inexplicably really conceded straight after scoring twice, so desperately disappointing really. I don’t know if you can work out how that’s happened.”
Everton rarely got near the Newcastle United penalty area after scoring the first goal after 19 minutes, they sat back and twice United found a way eventually to break them down.
Yet from such a small number of forays upfield, David Moyes saw his team handed their second and third goals.
Eddie Howe reflecting: “We were so desperate to get back in the game, did so well to do that, but then make a few unfortunate errors which is where the goals come from. It’s not a good look for us. We have to support each other and take accountability, it’s never down to one person.”
To make matters worse, our favourite comedy villain prevented a very late third equaliser, when Sandro Tonali’s stunning volley was turned onto the bar.
Eddie Howe asked about the Pickford save that effectively won the match: “That is one of the best saves I’ve seen and in the context and the timing of the game and what it meant, frustrating for us.”
As is often the case this season, Newcastle United having league matches against teams that are playing far few matches than NUFC.
Eddie Howe asked about coping with so many extra games due to progress in domestic cups and Champions League involvement: “It is a challenge to lift ourselves back into the Premier League after European games, a big physical effort and we haven’t done that well enough. It is not for lack of effort but we have to do better. There’s not a break for us and we have to regroup quickly.”
Newcastle 2 Everton 3 – Saturday 28 February 2026 3pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Ramsey 32, Jacob Murphy 82
Everton:
Branthwaite 19, Beto 34, Barry 83
Possession was Newcastle 66% Everton 34%
Total shots were Newcastle 17 Everton 9
Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Everton 5
Corners were Newcastle 7 Everton 2
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 33 Everton 12
Newcastle team v Everton:
Pope, Trippier (Wissa 75), Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Ramsey (Willock 46), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 56), Gordon (Osula 86), Woltemade (Barnes 56)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Botman, Shahar, Alex Murphy