Lukaku Lifts Everton Over Newcastle United

3-2

Everton hosted Newcastle United today in the Monday night game of the Premier League.  Everton lost midfielder Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United earlier this month, but loaned Gareth Barry from Manchester City and Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.  Newcastle thought they were losing Yohan Cabaye, but the French international is still with the club and started today's match on the bench.

Everton were the better team at the start and scored on their first chance early in the match.  Kevin Mirallas drove down the right flank and picked out Lukaku in front of goal.  Lukaku hit the shot first-touch to beat the keeper, putting the home side ahead (5').

Lukaku then had the assist in the goal scored by Ross Barkley.  Playing a perfect through-ball to split the Newcastle centerbacks, Lukaku setup Barkley who finished well to put Everton up by two (25').  Keeper Tim Howard then setup another goal for Lukaku with a long ball out of the back.  Newcastle defender Colocchini and keeper Krul both miss-played the long ball giving Lukaku a tap-in finish (37').

At the start of the second-half Newcastle made two substitutions; one in defense with Williamson replacing Yanga-Mbiwa and one in the attack with Cabaye replacing Ben Arfa.  Both changes were effective and Newcastle turned the game in their favor.  The defense kept Everton from scoring again and Cabaye scored a quick goal for Newcastle to give them life.  Cabaye hit a well struck ball from distance that curled into the far corner to beat keeper Howard (51').

Newcastle worked a number of shots in the second-half that tested the keeper and scored a second goal near the end of the match.  Striker Loïc Rémy muscled out defender Jagielka for position and scored to close the gap to only one goal (89').  Newcastle ran out of time though and Everton held on through stoppage-time.