The top four remained out of reach for Newcastle United as their fine campaign came to an abrupt halt on the final day at Everton. Alan Pardew's side were convincingly beaten while Tim Cahill was sent off in the final seconds for Everton for grabbing Yohan Cabaye by the throat. Neither club, however, will head into the summer harbouring too many regrets.
Pardew had arrogantly claimed before kick off that one flirtation with Champions League qualification had placed Newcastle in a different league to Everton. They were certainly on separate planes at Goodison, although not how the Newcastle manager would have envisaged as David Moyes' team outclassed the visitors throughout the first half.
Newcastle almost scored inside the opening minute when Hatem Ben Arfa's free-kick struck the unmarked Papiss Cissé, then John Heitinga, and forced Tim Howard into a desperate save on the goalline. Howard was making his 183rd consecutive appearance in the Premier League – equalling the record for one club set by José Reina at Liverpool – but was not troubled again until Newcastle underwent a necessary tactical overhaul in the second half.
Fortune favoured Everton both in referee Andre Marriner's response to a two-footed tackle by Heitinga on Cissé – he received only a yellow – and in taking the lead when Steven Pienaar's 25-yard shot struck Mike Williamson and looped over Tim Krul. Their superiority, however, was undeniable and it was no surprise when Everton doubled their lead. The identity of the goalscorer did not shock either. Nikica Jelavic pulled off the shoulder of Fabricio Coloccini to collect Heitinga's long pass and, though Krul was equal to a thunderous shot at point-blank range, the Croatian rediscovered his balance superbly to flick the rebound home with his right foot.
Pardew replaced both full-backs at the interval and, with Ben Arfa causing havoc, Newcastle were vastly improved in the second half yet fell further behind when Heitinga headed Darron Gibson's free-kick past Krul from close range.
Howard saved well from Cissé and Demba Ba before he was beaten by a soft own goal from Tony Hibbert. The Everton defender has never scored in the right goal for his club but found the net when he headed Ryan Taylor's cross beyond the advancing Howard. Read More
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.
