When Everton reserves beat Newcastle away in November 4-0, Alan Stubbs labelled the performance as the best of his reign.
Today at Finch Farm these two sides met again and were desperate for football with the recent cold snap causing mayhem. Everton reserves did manage to get a game on Saturday under their belts with a 1-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic in a friendly.
Everton had trialist Sam Kelly from Norwich City on the bench with a very strong starting 11 for the blues.
Newcastle made the brighter start but it was Everton who managed to get off the mark as quickly as 4 minutes with their first attack, Gueye from the left found Baxter who turned and shot but the Keeper did well to save but unfortunately for him Coleman was able to tap in from short distance to put the home side in front.
The visitors showed good spirit even though they were trailing, a Gueye shot on the 15 minute mark never troubled Magpies Keeper Alnwick but on 22 minutes the game was level when Nzuzi made a galloping run to find Dan Taylor who beat Hahnemann with a deflection and level matters.
It only took 3 minutes for the hosts to get back in front after good work from Vellios who fed Gueye on the left who wormed his way into the box to increase the lead with a shot off the post.
Vellios had a chance to put Everton further ahead before half time but his effort was put wide, Newcastle also had a chance to equalise after McDermott’s effort whistled over the bar.
Then on 41 minutes the game was level again with goalscore Taylor making a nuisance of himself who assists Airey to deceive Duffy and score past Hahnemann.
Newcastle did manage to put the ball in the net on the stroke of half time but the effort from Donakldson was ruled out for offside.
HALF TIME
EVERTON 2 NEWCASTLE UNITED 2
The visitors were the only team to make a change at the break replacing Yven Moyo with Samuel Adjei.
Gueye was having an exceptional game with David Moyes watching from the balcony that overlooks the training complex. He assisted Forshaw nine minutes into the second half but the shot was wasted and ran across the goalmouth.
Everton retrieved possession in midfield as Gueye again causing problems then tricked Alnwick to put the home side in front yet again and this was living up to a thrilling game.
Everton made two substitutions with Coleman being replaced by Lundstram and Vellios replaced by Joao Silva.
After only gracing the pitch for 1 minute, Silva nearly added to Everton’s tally only to be denied with a goal line clearance.
On the hour Hahnemann had to be alert to keep a 20 yard shot from goal scorer Airey out as the Magpies pressed for an equaliser.
This game failed to live up to expectations when for the third time in the game Newcastle drew level to make it 3-3 after a good build up involving three players then McGorrigan lets fly as Keeper Hahnemann was well beaten with a drive from a good way out.
Newcastle must have wondering what it was they were doing wrong after conceding again 2 minutes after drawing level as Baxter back from his loan with Tranmere Rovers won a tackle then shot but the ball came off defender Dummett and leave Alnwick helpless.
The visitors still had the belief they were still in with a shout as they had two efforts that were close but with 11 minutes remaining, Barkley produced a moment of magic which stemmed from a break as Newcastle had a corner and on the counter Everton broke, the ball fell into Barkley’s path who drew Alnwick from his line then delivered an exquisite chip to make the game 5-3.
The visitors must have been sick to concede 5 goals who were very much a good match for Everton. To make matters worse, substitute Silva got rewards after his earlier attempt was cleared off the line to make it number 6 with 4 minutes left.
Silva shot and Alwick should have done better but failed to hold the ball which lands back at Silva’s feet to put the game to bed.
FULL TIME EVERTON RES 6 NEWCASTLE UNITED RES 3
Everton
Hahnemann, Browning, Touray, Forshaw, Dufy, Dier, Coleman (Lundstram 56), Barkley (Heneghan 84), Vellios (Silva 58), Baxter, Gueye. Unused Subs Davies (GK), Kelly
Newcastle United
Alnwick, Nzuzi, Henderson, Kadar, Dummett, McDermott, Edmundsson (McGorrigan 56),Moyo (Adjei 46), Donaldson, Airey( Streete 72), Taylor. Unused Subs Baird, Sayer
Coach Everton Alan Stubbs
Newcastle United Willie Donachie