Everton recorded their second victory over Newcastle United in five days as they prevailed 1-0 at St James' Park courtesy of Thierno Barry's fourth Premier League goal of the season.
After booking their place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup with a 3-1 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night, David Moyes' Toffees got the better of their opponents on enemy territory in the Premier League as Everton snapped a three-game winless run to climb up to seventh.
Everton were left to ponder whether it was going to be their night when referee John Brooks blew the half-time whistle as matchwinner Barry was guilty of spurning two glorious chances that should have put them ahead.
Newcastle supporters were not afraid to voice their discontent at an abject first half display, but the hosts failed to improve early in the second period and they were punished as Tyrique George's testing effort squirmed under Lukas Hornicek's body and Barry anticipated to tap into an empty net.
Matthias Jaissle's substitutions did at least spark some life into Newcastle and they were inches away from restoring parity as Anthony Elanga watched his effort strike the woodwork and spin along the goal line.
The Magpies required 86 minutes to conjure their first shot on target as Jordan Pickford made an easy save from an audacious Yoane Wissa strike, and Everton's rearguard were imperious as they stood up to the threat Newcastle posed, as minimal as it might have been.
The evening then got worse for the hosts as substitute Jacob Ramsey was shown two yellow cards in the space of 86 seconds during stoppage time, the second for a reckless challenge on Harrison Armstrong.
Everton ultimately got their win and a fourth clean sheet of the season - only Arsenal and Brighton have recorded more shutouts so far this campaign.
Newcastle United v Everton Timeline
32' - Yellow card for Dan Burn.
49' - GOAL for Everton. Scored by Thierno Barry.
52' - Yellow card for Tyrique George.
64' - Yoane Wissa replaced Joe Willock, Sean Steur replaced Nico Gonzalez.
75' - Jacob Ramsey replaced Joelinton, Jacob Murphy replaced Anthony Elanga.
80' - Brennan Johnson replaced Thierno Barry.
82' - Michael Keane replaced Jarrad Branthwaite.
90+6' - Yellow card for Jacob Ramsey.
90+8' - Red card for Jacob Ramsey.
90+9' - Yellow card for Brennan Johnson.
90+9' - Yellow card for Fabian Schar.
Newcastle United v Everton Match Stats
Newcastle United | 0-1 | Everton |
52% | Possession | 48% |
17 | Shots | 16 |
2 | Shots on Target | 5 |
2 | Big Chances | 3 |
4 | Goalkeeper Saves | 2 |
4 | Corners | 5 |
332 | Completed Passes | 314 |
13 | Fouls Committed | 9 |
33 | Clearances | 26 |
4 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
1 | Red Cards | 0 |
