Everton ended their five-game winless run in the Premier League by storming to a 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
Aaron Lennon opened the scoring and Ross Barkley netted from the penalty spot twice to help move the Merseyside outfit up to 12th in the table.
It was a night to forget for Newcastle as they remain in the relegation zone and they went down to 10 men in the 93rd minute when Jamaal Lascelles was shown red.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's text coverage below.
6.46pmHello all! The Premier League midweek games continue. Yesterday, eight fixtures in the top flight were played, but tonight, we have just the two. Watford take on Chelsea at Vicarage Road and Everton face Newcastle at Goodison Park. Right here, we will be focusing on the action in Merseyside.
6.50pmEverton can't seem to buy a league win at the moment! They have lost two and drawn three of their last five fixtures, conceding 10 goals in the process. Roberto Martinez's side are currently mid-table and need to pick up some points if they want to get themselves back into European contention. The good news is that they are still alive in the FA Cup as they eased past League Two side Carlisle United 3-0 in the fourth round of the competition at the weekend.
6.51pmWhat about Newcastle then? Well, they are still in a precarious position in the lower regions of the table. They sit alongside bitter rivals Sunderland and Aston Villa in the bottom three, but they are just two points from safety. It has been almost a fortnight since Steve McClaren's side last played because they were not involved in FA Cup action at the weekend. During that time they managed to sign a couple of players, which we'll come on to later...
6.52pmRight, time for some teams! The lineups are in at Goodison Park.
6.52pmEVERTON XI: Joel; Oviedo, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman; McCarthy, Barry; Cleverley, Lennon, Barkley; Lukaku
Subs: Stanek, Baines, Gibson, Kone, Deulofeu, Osman, Pienaar
Subs: Stanek, Baines, Gibson, Kone, Deulofeu, Osman, Pienaar
6.54pmNEWCASTLE XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbemba, Dummett; Sissoko, Saivet, Shelvey, Townsend; Wijnaldum; Perez
Subs Darlow, Lascelles, Taylor, Gouffran, Aarons, Doumbia, Mitrovic
Subs Darlow, Lascelles, Taylor, Gouffran, Aarons, Doumbia, Mitrovic
6.57pmUnfortunately Everton fans, deadline-day signing Oumar Niasse is not in the squad as he is yet to receive his visa following his transfer to Merseyside from Lokomotiv Moscow. Goalkeeper Tim Howard is also nowhere to be seen this evening as he continues to struggle with a knock.
6.58pmIn total, Roberto Martinez has made two changes to the side that defeated Carlisle 3-0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup last weekend. Gareth Barry enters the midfield, resulting in Steven Pienaar being dropped to the bench, while Romelu Lukaku leads the line, replacing Arouna Kone.
7.01pmAnother interesting omission is that of John Stones. The centre-back has received some criticism lately for his performances and for some reason he has not made it into the matchday squad. We're unaware if it's because of an injury or Martinez just fancied giving him a break! I'm sure we'll find out over the course of the evening.
7.03pm
Team news! Here is our starting XI and subs to face @NUFC. #EFCvNEW pic.twitter.com/c7Spn7GaO4
— Everton (@Everton) February 3, 2016
7.04pmAs for Newcastle, the big news for them is that January signing Andros Townsend has been handed his debut. The former Tottenham Hotspur winger will join a midfield including fellow fresh arrivals Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet. Deadline-day signing Seydou Doumbia has received clearance to play, but he has to settle for a spot on the bench.
7.06pmAs well as the inclusion of Townsend, Steve McClaren has made a further two changes to the side that lost to Watford almost a fortnight ago. Paul Dummett comes into the back four and Ayoze Perez, who recently signed a new contract, will lead the line. Jamaal Lascelles, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Rolando Aarons are the players to make way.
7.06pm
TEAM NEWS: Here is how Newcastle United will line up at @Everton tonight (kick-off 7:45pm GMT). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/baGikZMQuq
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 3, 2016
7.09pmBefore we get into the permutations of this game, let's have a look at what Everton and Newcastle did in the transfer window that has just passed. In terms of senior-squad outgoings, Everton parted with Steven Naismith and Aiden McGeady. They brought in Shanji Tarashaj and Matty Foulds, but the big capture of their window was the arrival of Oumar Niasse from Lokomotiv Moscow. The Toffees splashed out £13.5m on the forward, who Martinez has insisted will not be used as back-up for Romelu Lukaku.
7.10pm
NIASSE: Former Senegal defender says new man will 'work his socks off' at Everton: https://t.co/1uuWMins1F pic.twitter.com/rBTuBOPpJR
— Everton (@Everton) February 2, 2016
7.13pmNiasse's arrival is an interesting one, though. While Martinez has repeatedly insisted that Lukaku is not for sale, there have been suggestions that Niasse could be a long-term replacement for the Belgian, who has been linked with a future move to Manchester United. Lukaku has previously spoken of his ambition to play Champions League football and if Everton cannot provide that, you feel that the striker may eventually look elsewhere.
7.15pmRight, what about Newcastle's transfer dealings? Well, owner Mike Ashley loosened the purse strings last month as he spent £24m to get both Englishmen Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey. The Magpies also scooped Henri Saivet from Bordeaux for £5m and Seydou Doumbia, who joined on a loan deal from Roma on deadline day. The North-East outfit spent well and it seems as though McLaren is trying to add more of an English contingent into the squad as they scrap for survival.
7.18pmEyes will be on Townsend tonight. It was not that long ago that the winger was setting the Premier League alight with his performances for Tottenham Hotspur. He was eventually rewarded with an England call-up, but he has since drifted out of contention. The 24-year-old began his career at Spurs, but was sent out on loan nine times during his stay at White Hart Lane. Following Mauricio Pochettino's appointment as manager last year, it soon became clear that Townsend was not in his plans. Now the England international has a chance to thrive at another club.
© Getty Images
7.21pmWhen asked about his January arrivals, McClaren told reporters: "I'm lifted by the signings. I know two of them very well. I hope Andros settles in quickly and you saw in the first game against West Ham what Shelvey can do. It's boosted everybody. Now we need to start winning and gelling and moving up the league. "
I'm delighted with what we brought in. I've been an admirer of Jonjo Shelvey for a long time. We needed that passer in midfield. I wanted more speed on the wing and we've got that with Andros.
"We needed a striker who can score goals and plays on the shoulder a little more and stretches defences. In Doumbia we've got that now. I don't think there ever has been an excuse - I definitely don't expect any now."
© Getty Images
7.24pmRight, let's switch back our attention to the home side. Everton began the season well as they did not have the demands of Europa League football on their backs, but they have struggled of late. As mentioned, they are five games without a win in the Premier League. In particular, the defence has been having a tough time. John Stones, who has reportedly been courted by many of European's elite clubs, has experienced a dip in form, and there is no place in the squad for him this evening.
7.26pmMartinez was quick to defend the England international, though. Earlier this week, he told reporters: "When you reach the level John has you are going to be scrutinised and John understands that. He is working very hard to keep himself fit and to produce his best level.
"He has had an incredible season so far for a young man. He has been through a lot in the last eight months and has been incredibly professional throughout and is growing all the time. It is not an issue."
© Getty Images
7.29pmThe statistics do not lie and there is clear signs of trouble at the back. Everton have only kept one clean sheet at home all season, which is the worst record in the Premier League. Added to that, they have picked up just nine points from their last 10 top-flight matches - only Aston Villa, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, have a worse run than that. The pressure is on Martinez to guide Everton to a win tonight as they have not won a league game since the end of September.
7.30pmAhead of tonight's match, Martinez told reporters: "It's true that our points return at home hasn't been good enough, that's where we want to work and that's where we want to rely on our fans. I think we can correct that. We've got seven games left [at home], that's 21 points to fight for at Goodison.
"It's a moment of trying to find enjoyment and comfort in playing in front of our own fans and using that support to our advantage. The margins have been very, very small. I don't think we've been playing badly, but we haven't been able to be solid and defensively stronger in terms of leaking goals that cost us a lot.
"Our defensive record at home and away is very, very different and that's something we [will] look to correct from now until the end of the season."
© Getty Images
7.31pmLast weekend's FA Cup action brought some positivity for Everton as they sealed a comfortable 3-0 win over Carlisle in the fourth round. Arouna Kone, Aaron Lennon and Ross Barkley got on the scoresheet, but there was a sour note to the match. At the time, it was alleged that Kone was the victim of racial abuse shortly after scoring the opening goal. Today, Cumbria Police confirmed that a 15-year-old male has been arrested. The teenager is out on bail pending further enquiries.
7.33pmRight, back to the game at hand! It seems like it was a long time ago since Newcastle played. It was in fact almost two weeks ago when McClaren's side suffered their 12th league defeat of the season. It was a 2-1 loss to Watford, who opened the scoring with Odion Ighalo and then doubled their lead when Craig Cathcart struck. Jamaal Lascelles found the net for Newcastle in the 71st minute but it proved to be a consolation goal.
7.35pmPrior to that result, Newcastle impressed by fighting back to claim a 3-3 draw against Manchester United and they overcame in-form West Ham United 2-1 at St James' Park. The defeat to Watford stopped them in their tracks, but their January spending has given the fans a glimmer of hope that they may survive in this league.
7.38pmA problem for Newcastle is that they have not been performing well on the road. During their last 17 travels in the league, they have only managed to score seven times. One player who may want to change that tally is Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutchman, who signed for Newcastle from PSV Eindhoven last summer, is the club's leading scorer with nine goals. The player has shown his versatility as he can play behind the striker, as well as on the wing, so Newcastle may be looking to his services tonight.
© Getty Images
7.41pmHEAD TO HEAD: On Boxing Day, Everton edged to a 1-0 win over Newcastle at St James' Park thanks to a 93rd-minute goal from Tom Cleverley. In the last six meetings between the two sides, Everton have won five of them. Goodison Park is not the best hunting ground for the Magpies as they have only sealed one victory from their previous 12 trips to the Merseyside stadium. That single victory was in 2011 when Hatem Ben Arfa scored the winning goal. Some more bad news for Newcastle is that Lukaku has scored five and made four assists in his last seven games against the North-East outfit.
7.42pmPREDICTION: I think it's safe to say that the pressure is on Martinez's Everton side to come away with all three points tonight. They have struggled for wins and they desperately need the points if they don't want to become mid-table fodder. Newcastle will have an energy boost following their January transfer activity and they are very well rested heading into this game. Goals could easily come from both sides, but Everton have the quality to just edge to a win.
7.43pmBoth sets of teams are out on the pitch at Goodison and we're only a matter of minutes away from kickoff! Fingers crossed for a decent contest.
7.45pmBefore the game gets going, Everton have unveiled new signing Niasse to the fans. He gets a very warm reception from the home crowd, as you would expect.
1 minKICKOFF! Everton get us underway!
1 minEverton begin the game on the frontfoot and within seconds, Lukaku gets on the end of a pinpoint pass, but Newcastle's defence read it and win the ball before he can do any damage.
3 minNewcastle go on the attack for the first time as Coloccini passes to Townsend, who cuts inside looking for a way through but Funes Mori does enough to put him off his stride.
5 minSAVE! What a stop from Elliot! Everton show some decent movement down the left-hand side. Barkley threads the ball through to Lukaku, who plays in Cleverley. The former Manchester United midfielder drills the ball from the edge of the area, but Elliot is quick to react and pushes the ball away from danger.
8 minEverton get the first corner of the game as Lennon's surging run wins his side a corner. Oviedo swings the ball into the area, but Dummet, who is positioned at the back post heads away.
8 minIt's been a fast start from Everton as the home side look to claim an all-important win. Remember, they have not won any of their last five games in the top flight. Lukaku and Barkley are linking up well and are looking lively. So far Newcastle have been able to deal with the home side's attacking threat.
10 minOh dear, Lukaku is down on the ground and is seeking treatment for a back injury. The Belgian suffered the problem in the small of his back after colliding with Coloccini. Martinez will be hoping that he can recover.
12 minIt seems as though Lukaku will be okay to continue as he manages to get up off the floor and return to his feet.
14 minJust after Lukaku returns to the pitch, he gets involved straight away. He receives the ball over the top from Barkley and manages to hold up the ball. The Belgian then lays it off to Lennon, but the attack breaks down.
16 minDespite Everton's fast start, there has only been one real effort on goal and that was Cleverley's shot which was saved by Elliot. At the other end, Newcastle have not caused any trouble as yet.
19 minThe visiting side try to make things happen as Mbemba whips the ball into the area to find Sissoko, who brings it down well with his first touch, but Everton snuff out the move.
20 minNewcastle may not have had many chances at goal, but they are working hard off the ball. Any time an Everton player is in possession, the visitors are closing them down.
23 minGOAL! EVERTON 1-0 NEWCASTLE (LENNON)
23 minEverton make the breakthrough and it's Aaron Lennon who gets on the scoresheet! Cleverley tees up the ball to Lennon, who after some fancy footwork, drills the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.
23 minPrior to the goal, Lukaku came close with a free kick after getting fouled on the edge of the area. He goes for goal with a curling effort, but it just flies over the crossbar.
25 minShelvey tries to respond for Newcastle by going it alone with a shot from outside the box, but his attempt is blocked.
26 minCLOSE! Everton have been given a let-off! Newcastle break and the ball eventually falls to Townsend, who loops a cross into the box. Funes Mori miss-times his clearance and the ball drops to Wijnaldum, who would have had a decent shot on target had he not been offside.
28 minBarkley gets involved as he aims his cross towards Lukaku, but Mbemba spots it and intercepts with a header. Everton are having more time on the ball and their passing this evening has been on point.
30 minOnce again, Barkley gets time on the ball and he creates acres of space while charging into the area. The midfielder then feeds the ball to Cleverley, who plays in Lukaku but the striker's touch is poor and the attack comes to nothing.
34 minWIDE! Oh, Dummett! Newcastle get a decent opportunity to strike but it's wasted by the defender. Everton fail to clear a long ball and the rebound falls Dummet's way, but the full-back's volley falls well wide.
36 minCHANCE! Barkley has a great opportunity to nab Everton's second, but he misdirects his shot. The chance came about from Elliot's blunder. The Newcastle keeper tries to head away a long ball as opposed to catching it, but in his efforts, it falls to Barkley's feet. The England international can't make the most of the opportunity, though.
41 minCHANCE! Barkley shows his hard work again as he dodges past two Newcastle defenders before squaring the ball across the face of goal, but none of his teammates are there for a tap-in.
42 minCHANCE! Everton come close again as Cleverley and Coleman combine well on the right-hand side. The ball is eventually sent into the box looking for Lennon, but Coloccini prevents the shot by diving forward. Great defending.
44 minNEWCASTLE SUB: It's bad news for the visiting side as Mbemba is forced off the field with an injury. Lascelles comes on to replace him.
45+1 minNewcastle charge forward and it's left to Janmaat, who delivers a cross into the box, but Robles gathers the ball comfortably.
45+3 minHALF-TIME: EVERTON 1-0 NEWCASTLE
8.34pmThe half-time whistle blows from referee Craig Pawson and it's Everton who have a deserved 1-0 lead at Goodison. There was only one serious effort on goal in the first 20 minutes and that came from Tom Cleverley, but the midfielder's shot was brilliantly saved by Rob Elliot. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Aaron Lennon struck from the edge of the area. Newcastle's chances were few and far between. They will be hoping to change that in the second half. We'll be back shortly!
46 minRESTART! Newcastle get the second half underway! There have been some changes at the break from both sides. Dummett makes way for Aarons and Lukaku, who suffered a back problem in the first half, is replaced with Kone.
47 minSAVE! Robles is called on in these early stages as Perez latches onto the end of a cross in the box and delivers a decent header towards the net, but the Everton goalkeeper reacts quickly to keep it out.
48 minNewcastle go on the counter-attack with Sissoko, who cuts inside onto his left foot before sending a through ball to Perez after spotting the forward's run. The pass is over-hit, though, and the ball bobbles into Robles's hands.
50 minThe visitors have been given a boost with Lukaku going off the pitch. The Magpies counter quickly and the ball eventually falls to Shelvey, who unleashes a long-range shot, but it misses the target.
52 minMISS! Dear oh dear, Kone should be celebrating a goal, but instead he has his head in his hands. Lennon gets on the end of an inch-perfect pass from Barkley. The goalscorer charges into the area and goes for goal with a low effort. Elliot makes the stop, but the ball only goes as far as Kone, whose close-range effort flies over the bar.
53 minKone tries to make amends by trying to catch Elliot out with a low hit, but it fizzes across the face of goal.
55 minNEWCASTLE SUB: McClaren makes a change as Saivet makes way for Mitrovic. Newcastle are going for more firepower.
56 minCHANCE! Barkley has been impressive for the Toffees this evening. The local boy finds space on the edge of the box before unleashing a shot, which is curling towards the top right corner of the net, but Elliot gets enough on the ball to punch it onto the post.
58 minDespite losing Lukaku at the start of the second half, Everton have come out on the frontfoot. They have had a handful of chances since the restart but are yet to take them.
60 minCHANCE! Everton come close again and this time it's Cleverley who sends the ball in from a free kick and Shelvey almost headers into his own net, but the ball clatters off the crossbar.
61 minBOOKING! Not long after his blunder, that thankfully for Newcastle wasn't costly, Shelvey gets cautioned by the referee for a challenge on Oviedo on the edge of the area.
62 minSAVE! Elliot keeps Everton out again! Cleverley takes the free kick and the ball looks on course to hit the bottom left corner, but Elliot manages to tip the ball onto the post. The rebound drops to Barkley, who sets up Funes Mori, but the shot goes wide.
64 minAt the other end, Newcastle win a corner and it's Shelvey who swings the ball into the box. Robles punches half clear and the ball falls to Sissoko, but his close-range shot it stopped by the keeper.
66 minWIDE! How did that not go in?! Aarons delivers a fantastic ball into the box and finds Mitrovic, who is six yards from the goal, but his volley goes wide. He should have scored!
69 minThe visitors try to put Everton under pressure off the ball as they don't want to give their opponents a minute's peace, but Lennon manages to nick the ball back off Aarons.
74 minBOOKING! Coleman receives a yellow card for a silly challenge on Perez. The Irishman lost the ball and tried to win it back, but committed a foul in the process.
76 minSAVE! Robles is made to work this time and it's Wijnaldum who causes the problems. The Newcastle man took on the volley from a cross and his effort is on target, but Robles gets a hand to it.
78 minNewcastle get two quick corners and Everton are feeling the pressure as they do not clear them convincingly. There's still time for the Magpies to find an equaliser.
80 minBarkley comfortably gets towards the edge pf the box before delivering a strike at goal, but Lascelles manages to get the block in.
82 minTownsend, who has had a relatively quiet debut, gets away from his marker and to the byline, but his cross let's him down as the ball drifts wide.
87 minPENALTY TO EVERTON!
87 minThe home side get the chance to double their lead after Aarons fouls Lennon in the box.
88 minGOAL! EVERTON 2-0 NEWCASTLE (BARKLEY)
88 minBarkley is rewarded for his work ethic as he steps up and sends Elliot the wrong way by nestling the ball into the bottom left corner.
90 minEverton are on the attack in the closing stages of this contest and I think Newcastle know that it's game over!
90+3 minRED CARD AND PENALTY! Lascelles is given his marching orders for committing a terrible challenge on Barkley
90+4 minGOAL! EVERTON 3-0 NEWCASTLE (BARKLEY)
90+4 minBarkley gets his second of the night and Everton's third as he hits the ball into the roof of the net!
90+5 minFULL-TIME: EVERTON 3-0 NEWCASTLE
9.48pmPhew! What an end to the game! It's all smiles around Goodison Park as Everton end their five-game winless run in the Premier League with a 3-0 triumph over Newcastle United. Aaron Lennon scored and Ross Barkley converted from the penalty spot twice. It was a bad night for Newcastle as they stay in the relegation zone and they lost Jamaal Lascelles to a red card to boot! Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye!
