1. Everton will wonder what could have been… again
This is the second away game this month that Everton have lost in a match they should have played for more than 45 minutes against 10 men. The Toffees could have completed the game at Manchester City against nine-men when both Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala recklessly raised their feet in challenges on separate occasions.
In this game, Papiss Cisse was held by Seamus Coleman from a set-piece. Instead of appealing for a penalty or finding other ways to escape Coleman’s grasp, Cisse repeatedly elbowed him.
The FA could still use video to punish Cisse retrospectively should referee Craig Pawson’s report confirm that he did not spot that swinging arm but that will not help Everton as they languish in the bottom-half of the table after another away defeat.
2. Alan Pardew will hope that this win will spare him awkward questions
Pardew – the bookies’ favourite for the vacant manager’s position at Crystal Palace – refused to speak to the press after the game. No reason was given by club officials but it is thought he did not want to answer questions on the link to his former club.
If he had lost this game, it would have been a fifth straight defeat in all competitions for the Magpies boss, who is always on the brink of rumours of a sack. Pardew cannot keep avoiding the media but he will probably hope that the press will have different questions when he meets them after this win.
3. Kevin Mirallas’ goal highlighted his invaluable qualities for the Toffees
Mirallas has been arguably the best player for Everton this season and his style of play makes him an invaluable member of Roberto Martinez’s side. Mirallas frequently unsettles opposition defences with his incisive runs in behind and finishing like he did for Everton’s second goal.
He is the only player who can frequently stretch defences because Romelu Lukaku likes to drift wide while the other attacking midfielders either prefer to just float in between the lines or, like Ross Barkley, rarely feature in forward positions. That means Mirallas’ runs makes Everton more dynamic when they attack.
4. Jack Colback’s tireless runs forward finally paid off
It is surprising to note that Colback’s goal in this game was his first for Newcastle since joining the Magpies given the central midfielder’s frequent efforts to ghost forward during attacks and occupy spaces that are difficult to spot for opponents.
He came close to scoring with those drifting runs against Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the season, and his first goal for the club was overdue for a player who offers a lot to Newcastle’s cause in terms of energy.
5. Martinez may have to suspend his experiments
Pressure is mounting on Martinez after Everton lost six of their last eight games in all competitions. His decision to start Leighton Baines in central midfield in this game did not pay off, just like the move to start Coleman as a right attacking midfielder at Manchester City also backfired.
Martinez is certainly one of the most talented managers in the world and he may be attempting to emulate the success that Pep Guardiola had when he pushed Philipp Lahm into midfield but that may not be ideal for Everton at the moment given their current slide.
