Newcastle United did themselves no favors but will return to the UEFA Champions League despite a disjointed 1-0 loss to Everton at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
The Magpies needed a win over the bottom-half Toffees to guarantee a top-five finish but slumped to a loss on Carlos Alcaraz’s second-half goal only to finish fifth when Aston Villa lost at Manchester United in controversial fashion.
WATCH — Newcastle v Everton full match replay
And so Newcastle’s 66 points were enough for fifth thanks on goal differential over Villa, and the Magpies are back in the UCL for the second time in three years.
Everton finish 13th with 48 points, eight off the top half of the table but 23 over the bottom three.
Near-miss shows Newcastle hierarchy all it needs to know
This was an excellent season for Newcastle United, who ended a 50-plus year wait for silverware and earned their way back to the UEFA Champions League via a fifth-place finish, but they nearly threw away their shot by failing to beat Everton on Sunday. The Magpies looked like world-beaters when Joelinton, Lewis Hall, and Alexander Isak were in the squad but struggled without them. Yes a healthy Sven Botman and Hall will change a lot but what doesn’t change is that subs rarely affected Newcastle’s games in a positive manner. The Champions League squad was nowhere near deep enough two seasons ago, and Sunday’s loss was a reminder of what it will take for the Magpies to escape the league phase this time.
Everton vs Newcastle player ratings
(via fotmob.com)
Everton vs Newcastle player ratings (via fotmob.com)
Everton vs Newcastle player ratings (via fotmob.com)
How to watch Newcastle vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Sunday
Venue: St. James’ Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Newcastle vs Everton final score: 0-1
Carlos Alcaraz 65'
Newcastle vs Everton live updates
Newcastle into top five for moment
Amad Diallo has scored to put Man United in front of 10-man Aston Villa, and the Magpies are in front of Villa on goal differential.
Newcastle sub
Callum Wilson enters for Jacob Murphy in the 70th minute.
Carlos Alcaraz goal — Newcastle 0-1 Everton (65th minute)
The Magpies, for the moment, are out of the top-five.
Alcaraz with a brilliant header of Vitaliy Mykolenko’s spinning cross, as Dan Burn slipped to the turf in his bid to mark the scorer.
Another Newcastle sub
Kieran Trippier takes Botman’s place, swinging Livramento to left back and moving Dan Burn inside with Schar.
0-0, 64'.
Newcastle substitution
Joe Willock enters for Anthony Gordon, as Newcastle will look to a natural attacking midfielder to unlock Everton’s back line.
Halftime — Newcastle 0-0 Everton
Magpies just not doing enough in the final third, as Jordan Pickford has a bunch of saves but has been in position to face the majority of them.
Pope keeps it scoreless
A great cross from the left is thundered toward goal by an Everton head but Pope reacts quickly to get it over the frame.
0-0, 40'.
Botman header saved off corner
Pickford slaps a pounded-down heasder over the bar.
The ensuing corner sees Schar’s header deflected out by a defender.
Another corner from Tonali sees Botman saved by Pickford.
Pickford double save
The ex-Sunderland man makes saves on high-powered but well-seen shots from Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak in the 31st minute.
Fabian Schar sends the resulting corner over the bar with a leaning-back header.
Starts all Magpies but Everton enter fray
The Magpies’ final ball has been missing through 20 dominant minutes but Everton find their footing.
Carlos Alcaraz forces Nick Pope into a diving save to stop a free kick from well outside the box, and then Idrissa Gana Gueye tests Pope.
Beto has also shown a willingness to run for the Toffees.
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimares, Tonali, Murphy, Barnes, Gordon, Isak
Everton lineup
Pickford, Young, O’Brien, Keane, Mykolenko, Gana Gueye, Garner, Harrison, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Beto
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Joelinton (knee), Lewis Hall (foot - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexander Isak (groin), Matt Targett (hamstring), Kieran Trippier (thigh)
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Seamus Coleman (thigh), James Tarkowski (thigh), Jesper Lindstrom (groin), Orel Mangala (knee), Jarrad Branthwaite (thigh)
Newcastle vs Everton preview
Newcastle United seek a win that would all but guarantee a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League when they close their Premier League slate with a visit from Everton at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
When we say “all but guarantee,” a Newcastle win would give them 69 points and ensure they’d finish the season with at-worst the fourth-best point total. Their +22 goal differential would be at least +23.
Chelsea and Aston Villa could also reach 69 points with Week 38 wins, but the Blues would have to beat Nottingham Forest by three more goals than Newcastle’s margin of victory over Everton. Aston Villa would also have to beat Manchester United by — looks at table — 14 more goals than the Magpies’ winning advantage.
There are some old rivals on the other side, where former Sunderland boss David Moyes and fellow Black Cats export Jordan Pickford will be fueled up to spoil the Magpies’ plans. Everton will finish 13th on the Premier League table regardless of the outcome, and will not have star center back James Tarkowski as well as partner Jarrad Branthwaite.
That said, the Magpies may be without leading scorer Alexander Isak in addition to influential midfielder Joelinton and full backs Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall.
Newcastle vs Everton prediction
The difference maker here feels likely to be St. James’ Park, which will be buzzing to return to the Champions League and celebrate their League Cup champions on the final home matchday of the season. Newcastle 2-1 Everton.
