Everton secured UEFA Cup qualification with a 3-1 victory over those loveable Geordies. The first 25 minutes were uneventful, but at least the sun was shining. Then Yakubu finally got his 20th goal of the season. A well placed header from Manuel Fernandes’ perfectly executed free kick. Everton seemed to relax after that and started passing the ball around freely, the Goodison faithful even provided a few ‘oles’.
Fernandes and Osman were both denied by Harper in goal and Everton had the ball in the net again via a Yakubu header. Though the goal was ruled out for offisde when Lescott nodded it back to the big Nigerian. Anichebe nearly had a goal when his left footed effort nearly went through Harper’s arms, fortunately for the Newcastle keeper the ball bobbled out for a corner. Yobo then sent a header over the bar from the resulting corner.
Tim Howard was never tested, the closest Newcastle came was when N’Zogbia hit a thunderbolt of a free kick which shaved the bar.
Everton went into the half time break on top but may have been left ruing their missed chances. They soon found the cost when Yobo tripped the lively N’Zogbia in the penalty area just a minute into the second half. Ex red shite Michael Owen converted the penalty. The sun went in around the samew time as well
Rain started to pour but Manuel Fernandes showed his quality from set plays. A dipping drive was tipped over by Harper, from the resulting corner he found Jagielka who headed over from a few yards out.
Everton finally regained the lead, the delightful Michael Owen fouled Carsley and mouthed off to the linesman, short ball to Fernandes who delivered an incisive ball to Lescott to slotted on the half-volley from eight yards.
Everton killed the game off when our first penalty of the league season was awarded to us, Yakubu stepped up and noncholantly stroked the ball into the net. Cue a chorus of “We’re all going on a
European Tour”
Joe Jennings -
Everton cruised to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United infront of a vociferous sold out Goodison Park. A brace from Yakubu and Joleon Lescott’s tenth goal of the season proved invaluable.
The Toffees started brightly and with the fans in full voice, seemed confident. Despite minor Geordie scares, Everton took the lead through a Yakubu header, the Nigerian’s 20th goal of the season. Goodison rocked.
Newcastle shocked the home side by drawing level within 90 seconds of the restart.
As the dangerous N’Zogbia made ground in the Everton box he was tripped by Yobo and although Owen’s penalty was not convincing it crept under Tim Howard’s dive as the England striker scored for the fourth successive game at Goodison Park. There is no doubting “Prince Charles” should have been dealt with earlier, it was an amateur mistake to make so early into the second half.
The elements arrived upon the Old Lady, rain, wind, thunder and lightning struck rapidly. The tension levels increased, particularly when news arrived that Liverpool target Gareth Barry had given the Villains the lead at Upton Park.
We needed to respond, and we eventually did, through player of the season Joleon Lescott who slotted home a left foot volley low into the Gwladys Street net. The ground was shaking, renditions of “We’re all going on a European tour” rung around the stadium.
Everton were rampant and Leon Osman beat two men and was subsequently tripped in the area. PENALTY, Everton’s first Premier League spot kick of the season. Moyes celebrated as if we had won the league. Yakubu duly converted, sending the erratic Harper the wrong way. It was Yakubu’s 21st of an incredible debut season, the relief around the ground was evident.
The annual lap of honour at the end was enjoyable, with David Moyes milking the applause of the Goodison faithful, and rightly so. Victory ensured not only 5th place was secured, but a place in the UEFA Cup, to the delight of everyone present.
