Everton stun Newcastle to move out of PL relegation zone

LIVERPOOL: Everton struck three times in the final 11 minutes to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone despite a 10-point deduction as Newcastle were stunned 3-0 at Goodison Park on Thursday.

Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Beto scored the goals as the Toffees´ fine form continued despite the blow of being hit by the toughest sporting sanction dished out in Premier League history for breaches of financial rules.

Newcastle were made to pay for two uncharacteristic errors by England international Kieran Trippier as fatigue hit the injury ravaged Magpies in the closing stages. McNeil pounced to smash into the top corner 11 minutes from time before Doucoure secured a fifth win in seven games for Everton.

Substitute Beto rounded off victory with his first Premier League goal in stoppage time. Victory lifts Everton one point clear of the bottom three and they would be in the top half but for the points penalty.

“This season, apart from the obvious with the 10 points, we´ve been in terrific form,” said Everton boss Sean Dyche. The Everton support have been galvanised by the perceived injustice of the severity of the points deduction and for once a raucous atmosphere was met with some reward at Goodison.

Everton´s only two home Premier League wins since March had both come against Bournemouth. “We´ve got some talent but you´ve got to give everything and there is that connection with the fans because they are seeing a group of people giving everything.”

Newcastle have swept aside Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at home this season. But Eddie Howe´s men have won just once away from home all season in the Premier League.

Newcastle remain seventh, four points off the top four. An injury crisis has meant Trippier has played virtually every minute of their Premier League and Champions League campaign so far. However, Howe said his side cannot allow tiredness to become an excuse with a packed schedule still to come before the end of the year.