Everton easily accounted for Newcastle United 3-0 on Wednesday night.
The Toffees scored two very late goals but were in complete control at Goodison Park as they notched their first league victory since Boxing Day.
Aaron Lennon opened the scoring for the home side when he received a pass from Tom Cleverley on the edge of the area, swirled and shot beneath a sea of legs, nestling the ball into the back of the net with Magpies keeper Rob Elliot stranded.
Everton continued to create chances but did not double their advantage until the 88th minute when Lennon was felled in the area by Rolando Aarons.
Ross Barkley, who was extremely unlucky not to have scored earlier, stepped up and fired past Elliot with aplomb before adding a second in injury-time when he was clattered into by Jamaal Lascelles.
The Newcastle defender was sent off for his efforts and Barkley tallied his 11th goal of the season and eighth in the league with a cheeky 'panenka' from 12 yards.
The win saw Roberto Martinez's men move up to 11th as Steve McClaren's Toon remained 18th where they sit two points fro safety.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Everton: 3 (Aaron Lennon 23', Ross Barkley (PEN) 88'/(PEN) 90+4')
Newcastle United: 0 (red card: Jamaal Lascelles 90+3')
Goodison Park, Liverpool - 36,061
TALKING POINTS
- A much-needed win from Everton, inspired by Barkley. Can he be the key for the Toffees as they hone in on a top-half finish? Will he continue to get better as Euro2016 looms near?
- An extremely poor display from McClaren's Magpies. Are they capable of climbing out of the relegation mire, especially considering they spent up in January?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Everton head to 10th-placed Stoke on Saturday while Newcastle will prepare for the visit of 14th-placed West Brom.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Massive win last night, fans were top draw...
— Ross Barkley (@RBarkley20) February 4, 2016
Very good win from the boys today. Looking forward for another win on Saturday! pic.twitter.com/gQUqoZW2qi
— Gerard Deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu) February 3, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Everton boss Martinez on Barkley:
"Probably last year and the season before he was a young man with enormous potential, today he showed he is not a young man any more in footballing terms.
"He is a player who is ready to lead the team; his decision-making has gone to a different level and I don't think he is a potential player any more."
Newcastle's McClaren on how important each game is for his side:
"We have said you can't waste a game now and that's what we've done.
"We felt we could come here and get a result but we had to come here and perform at our level and there were a lot of players below that level and that is why we lost."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
3 - Aaron Lennon has scored his third Premier League goal against Newcastle United, against no opponent has he scored more. Opener.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 3, 2016
20 - Everton have become the 20th and final team to score a penalty in the Premier League this season. Sealed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 3, 2016
