Newcastle United finally put their long-standing Premier League away day frustrations to bed in spectacular fashion with a dominant 4-1 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After a season riddled with inconsistent performances on the road, Eddie Howe’s side delivered a commanding display that left fans and pundits alike impressed.
Goals from Malick Thiaw, who scored twice, alongside strikes from Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade, ensured that Newcastle secured three vital points and moved up to 11th in the Premier League table, edging closer to the European spots.
This result also marked Newcastle’s first time backing up a league win with another successive victory this season, following their impressive 2-1 triumph over Manchester City.
One of the most eye-catching storylines from the match came from the goalkeeper situation. Nick Pope, who had faced scrutiny for his recent errors, was ruled out due to a groin injury, leaving Aaron Ramsdale to make his first Premier League start for Newcastle.
While Ramsdale’s performance was steady and competent, it was Everton’s Jordan Pickford who inadvertently stole the spotlight. Early in the match, Lewis Miley’s shot from close range somehow slipped through Pickford’s hands and into the net, prompting the Newcastle fans to launch a chant at the England international.
The terrace erupted with playful mockery, singing “Cheer up Jordan Pickford” followed by taunts that highlighted the goalkeeper’s struggles, underlining both the fans’ sense of humor and the pressure Pickford faces in the Premier League.
Despite the focus on Pickford, Ramsdale’s calm and composed display will likely secure him the starting spot for Newcastle in the near term.
Anthony Elanga also made headlines as he earned his first Premier League start since October 18, when he had been substituted at half-time during Newcastle’s loss at Brighton.
The Swedish forward has struggled to adapt since his £55 million move to Tyneside, but Howe had previously expressed confidence that Elanga would find his rhythm and align with the so-called “Newcastle Way.” Against Everton, Elanga demonstrated glimpses of that adaptation almost immediately.
Within the first minute, he latched onto a Tino Livramento through ball, forcing Pickford into a fine save. This early action directly contributed to Newcastle’s first goal, as the resulting corner from Miley was headed in by Thiaw.
Later in the match, Elanga played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s third goal, chasing down a hopeful ball, beating Tim Iroegbunam, and delivering a precise pass to Nick Woltemade, who calmly finished over Pickford. The performance signaled that Elanga is beginning to justify the faith placed in him and could become a consistent attacking threat for the club.
Malick Thiaw was arguably the star of the show, scoring two headers to complete a remarkable personal milestone. His opening goal, just 55 seconds into the match, was the fastest in the Premier League this season and set the tone for Newcastle’s dominance.
Thiaw’s second goal, heading home a cross from Lewis Hall in the second half, showcased his aerial prowess and added to his growing reputation as not only a solid defender but also an attacking threat on set pieces. His ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch has made him one of Newcastle’s most complete players this season.
Dan Burn’s return to central defence was another highlight of the match. Often deployed at left-back due to injuries in that position, Burn reminded everyone of his quality in his natural role.
He defended strongly, intercepted dangerous attacks, and played a key part in the buildup to Miley’s second goal by recycling Livramento’s deflected shot. Burn’s presence in central defence allows Howe greater tactical flexibility, and his performance against Everton reinforced why he was named Newcastle’s Player of the Season at centre-back last campaign.
The victory also marked the end of Newcastle’s miserable away record against Everton in recent years. The Magpies had been winless in their previous four league encounters with the Toffees, but their first visit to Everton’s new stadium produced a commanding and morale-boosting win.
The team’s cohesion, attacking fluency, and defensive solidity all contributed to a performance that will give fans hope for a more consistent run of results on the road moving forward.
Overall, the Everton match provided multiple positive takeaways for Newcastle. Ramsdale proved capable of stepping into the goalkeeper role, Elanga displayed signs of adaptation to the team’s style, Thiaw excelled both defensively and offensively, and Burn reminded everyone of his reliability in central defence.
Combined with a long-awaited away victory, this 4-1 triumph was not just about the points; it was a statement of intent from Howe’s side, signaling that Newcastle can compete with top-tier teams even outside of St. James’ Park.
With performances like this, the Magpies can aim to build momentum, challenge for European places, and leave their away day woes behind for good.
