Everton secured a 3-1 victory over Newcastle in ideal conditions on the lush turf at Murrayfield in a pre-season challenge game which gave the Tyneside team’s new manager, Matthias Jaissle, much to ponder.
The Magpies took the game to the opposition, but two goals in nine, first-half minutes, put the team nicknamed The Toffees in a comfortable position.
Everton added a third after 73 minutes before Harvey Barnes netted a consolation for Newcastle with five minutes remaining.
In all, Everton’s, Glasgow-born manager, David Moyes, must have been happy with the win in front of over 23,000 fans, but the Merseyside men were put under pressure in spells during the 90 minutes, and, indeed, there was an early chance for Wissa, but the Everton goalkeeper Travers rose to collect.
Newcastle threatened again when Botman sent Toure away down the left, but his cross was thrashed over the bar from the centre of the penalty box by Wissa.
Everton seemed unable to get into gear in the early stages and sloppy play from Mykolenko allowed Toure a sight of goal. His shot was deflected for a corner then Everton broke and Dewsbury-Hall tested Hornicek at the far post, but the goalkeeper palmed the ball away.
Toure and Hall combined to threaten for Newcastle, but the cross ball which eventually arrived was at a comfortable height for Travers.
George then broke for Everton, but his drive towards the penalty box was thwarted, before Bamba and Toure created an opening for Newcastle which was blocked.
A break to the other end of the pitch saw Newcastle punished heavily as Barry slotted at the back post following a pass from Armstrong who had showed some fine touches and a good work ethic.
The strike was against the run of play and Jaissle cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as the ball trundled over the line. Time 27 minutes.
Everton could have been further ahead when Armstrong combined with Ndiaye to set up Barry, but Hornicek dived to block.
However, Moyes’ men were awarded a penalty after Deswsbury-Hall was pulled down in the box by Joelinton as his side failed to clear, and ice cool Ndiaye sent Hornicek the wrong way to slot comfortably from the spot after 36 minutes.
It was a pretty disappointing first half for the travelling Newcastle fans. United had threatened, but had nothing to show for their efforts.
Everton, on the other hand, capitalised on breakaways to enjoy a healthy lead and it was no surprise that Jaissle made changes at the break, Woltemade was one of them up-front.
Mason Miley was another and he fed Jacob Murphy who tested Travers at the near post. The ball went for a corner, but that produced nothing.
However, this was a different Newcastle, showing a desire to fight for the ball and to attack with purpose, but Everton sprung and Barry, Hackney and the lively George combined. George was, however, way off target with his shot.
Woltemade was doing a lot of running, but he was a by-stander as the ball fizzed across the Everton box to the far post and Murphy just failed to connect.
Steur made a real difference in the United midfield, spraying passes either side, but it was Everton’s Barry who was next to threaten before being brought down 25 yards out.
Hackney and Dewsbury-Hall stood over the ball and it was Dewsbury-Hall who thumped the ball towards goal. Hornicek dived to his right to turn the ball out for a corner.
Everton brought on three substitutes, Beto, Dibling and Alcaraz, but Newcastle held possession for a spell without breaking through.
A promising move by Everton involving Beto and George broke down in the penalty box and the same player then drove down the left and his cross was sent for a corner. The set-piece saw the ball swept deep to the far post and United scrambled the ball away.
George then slid in Armstrong. The youngster collected and spun in the box before and sending it back to George who lashed home. Travers dived to his right but could not get a hand to the ball. Time 73 minutes.
Jaissle was out of his seat, standing with his hands on his hips, surveying the scene, and pointing, but Everton’s confidence was obvious and their fans shouted their approval at the patient passing game being shown by their favourites.
George was again prominent and he sent in Aznou, but he was blocked and the ball ran for another corner.
O’Brien and Foster were introduced by Moyes as the clock ticked down, but it was Newcastle who pounced. They broke swiftly down the right and Barnes netted at the back post for 3-1, a rare moment of joy for the Magpies on a disappointing night in Scotland’s Capital. Time 85 minutes.
The last action saw Alcaraz popping up at the other end to fire just wide with less than four minutes left and the lights came on as the eclipse arrived. Frankly, the lights had gone out for Newcastle well before this.
Jaissle said they were in against a competitor in the Premier League and he believed that the start was “really good”.
Other positives included the goal scored late on which, he said, came from good structure and good possession.
He added: “We learn every day. We don’t have many training sessions as we have matches.”
There have been concerns expressed about the Magpies’ defence and Jaissle said they were aware of what they need.
INTENSE SCRUTINY: Matthias Jaissle faces the media scrum at Murrayfield. Picture Nigel Duncan
CROWD FOCUS: Some of the fans who witnessed the pre-season challenge. Picture Nigel Duncan
