Thierno Barry grabs only goal as Everton defeat 10-man Newcastle

Thierno Barry’s second-half strike helped Everton return to winning ways in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Following a first half lacking in clear-cut opportunities, the Toffees took the lead shortly after the restart when Barry stabbed home his fourth league goal of the campaign.

A frustrating night soured further for the Magpies as they finished the game with 10 men when substitute Jacob Ramsey was shown two yellow cards in quick succession at the death.

Everton ended a three-game winless run in the Premier League, while Newcastle slip to 13th in the table.

Monday’s match took place just four days after Everton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and both sides made two changes to their starting XI as Anthony Elanga and Joelinton came in for the Magpies, while Jarrad Branthwaite and Harrison Armstrong lined up for the visitors.

Harvey Barnes looked lively on the left flank for the hosts, sending a curling shot wide before his looping cross floated narrowly past the far post and Jordan Pickford was forced to hold Will Osula’s deflected cross from a tight angle.

Joelinton had an effort blocked by James Tarkowski and Merlin Rohl fired over the crossbar as both sides looked to break the deadlock.

James Garner blasted a free-kick from the edge of the area straight into the Newcastle wall and Barnes was at the heart of the action again, firing in a dangerous cross which bounced off Branthwaite and was tipped over by Pickford.

Joelinton unleashed a fierce strike from distance which whizzed wide and Everton enjoyed a late flurry of chances before the break.

Jake O’Brien was unable to nod home Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross and Harrison Armstrong skewed a first-time effort wide.

The Toffees picked up where they left off only four minutes into the second half when a slick pass from a free-kick set Tyrique George free on the left to fire low at Lukas Hornicek.

His shot squeezed underneath the Newcastle goalkeeper, but Barry was quick to react to tap in the loose ball and the goal stood following a VAR check for two close offside calls.

Branthwaite’s header was tipped away by Hornicek as the visitors looked to quickly double their advantage, while Fabian Schar hooked an effort over the crossbar and Pickford held Joe Willock’s header.

Hornicek was then called into action at the opposite end to push away Dewsbury-Hall’s strike and the Magpies goalkeeper made a solid low save from the resulting corner to deny O’Brien.

Barnes’ cross from the left was nearly turned in by Elanga at the far post, but the ball hit the post and trickled across the goal-line before being cleared.

Newcastle looked to threaten around the Everton box as Pickford punched away Jacob Murphy’s corner and the ball was recycled back to Ramsey, who dragged his volley narrowly wide.

Yoane Wissa’s shot was comfortably held by Pickford, who made another solid stop from the striker in the 90th minute with his feet.

With eight minutes added on, the home side were frustrated further when Ramsey was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards within minutes of each other as they slipped to defeat.