Newcastle overpower Everton to close in on UCL bid

Newcastle moved closer to Champions League football next season and pushed Everton ever closer to the Championship with a 4-1 win at Goodison Park on Thursday.

Eddie Howe’s men were far from their best but still far too good for the Toffees as Callum Wilson scored twice.

Joelinton was also on target as Newcastle opened up an eight-point cushion over fifth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand still to come.

The defeat leaves Everton still rooted in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety, with a huge task ahead to extend their 69-year stay in the English top flight.

No side has scored fewer goals than Everton in the Premier League this season and they were again made to pay for a lack of cutting-edge despite an impressive start.

Newcastle scored five times inside the first 21 minutes in hitting Tottenham for six on Sunday.

But the Magpies had barely threatened before they went in front on 28 minutes.

Jordan Pickford should have done better when he parried Joelinton’s shot back into the danger area and Wilson pounced for his fifth goal in six games.

Although, Everton’s position might not be so precarious had Dominic Calvert-Lewin been fit for most of the season.