Newcastle vs Everton match report: Tom Cleverley uses his head just in time to break Magpie hearts

Newcastle 0 Everton 1

Tom Cleverley celebrates after giving Everton victory against Newcastle (Getty Images)

Just when it seemed that Everton were to depart Tyneside scratching their collective head, having just spent 90 minutes banging it against Newcastle United’s black-and-white wall, up popped Tom Cleverley in the third minute of injury-time to use his wit to nod an 18-yard header over the unfortunate Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot to give Everton all three points.

These were thoroughly deserved but Roberto Martinez was surely readying himself to offer some incredulous soundbytes. He had seen Everton dominate from first to last but Elliot had made a string of saves.

From the first whistle, Martinez’s team showed a coherence and zest that had Newcastle penned back. Admittedly, the hosts looked as if they had prepared for this eventuality but Everton’s exposing of Paul Dummett at left-back cannot have been part of Steve McClaren’s grand plan.

Dummett had to contend with Aaron Lennon and Seamus Coleman – one would be enough – and was understandably caught.As early as the seventh minute a Coleman cross found Kevin Mirallas free at the far post. Only Elliot’s legs prevented an Everton lead.

Elliot was to be busy, as were the panicked defenders in front of him. With Gareth Barry setting the tempo for much of the Blues’ passing, there was a level of control that made Everton appear the home side.

With records to chase, there was a focus on Romelu Lukaku. In the 27th minute he was pulled back by Fabricio Coloccini in the area, and a minute later was one-on-one with Elliot, who saved Lukaku’s low effort.

As for Newcastle, they managed to break free on the odd occasion but the half-time whistle went without them having a shot on target. When a corner was one five minutes after the interval, it was Newcastle’s first.

When Coleman then slid in a dangerous cross from the right – missed by Lukaku by inches – the pattern of the game was resumed. Lukaku quickly turned Chancel Mbemba to force another legs-first block from Elliot and the keeper then spread out his right arm to thwart the impressive Lennon. Not long after that, both Dummett and Mbemba made important interventions in their box.

Evertonians beginning to sense the worst then had to watch as Moussa Sissoko finally broke into the visitors’ area – 73 minutes in – and delivered a perfect centre. Aleksandar Mitrovic rose like Shearer in the pomp and met it with due bullet force. It seemed set to make the net bulge. But Mitrovic is no Shearer; the ball sailed wide.

Teams

Newcastle United: (4-2-3-1) Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Anita, Colback; Sissoko, Perez (Thauvin, 87) Wijnaldum; Mitrovic

Everton: (4-2-3-1) Howard; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Cleverley; Lennon (Deulofeu, 69) Barkley (Besic 69) Mirallas (Osman 85); Lukaku

Referee: L Mason

Man of match: Gareth Barry (Everton)

Match rating: 7/10