Late Everton strike leaves Newcastle facing familiar frustrations at St James’ Park

• Thierno Barry scored 74 seconds after coming on to secure Everton a dramatic 3-2 win at St James’ Park.
• Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted his side’s Premier League form has not been good enough.
• Defensive errors again proved costly as Everton capitalised in a chaotic finale.

Seventy four seconds. That was all resilient Everton needed to retake the lead and deliver a decisive blow as substitute Thierno Barry struck late to secure a dramatic victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

It felt like uncomfortable familiarity for Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, whose side had suffered an almost identical fate in a recent 3-2 home defeat by Brentford.

“I have a similar feeling,” Howe admitted after the final whistle. “In relation to the Premier League, our form has not been good enough for a while. We know that. We take responsibility for that. It has been really frustrating for us.”

Newcastle had briefly reignited belief when Jacob Murphy levelled at 2-2, but their defensive fragility again proved costly. Rather than sensing a grandstand finish, Everton pushed forward with intent. Iliman Ndiaye dispossessed Anthony Gordon in midfield before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a precise cross that Barry converted at the back post.

“We probably never gave Newcastle a chance to enjoy their moment,” said Everton manager David Moyes. “Great credit to our players. Their mentality was excellent. They stuck at it.”

For Howe, the defeat represented another step backward in a season marked by inconsistency. Newcastle had rallied impressively after their Brentford loss, winning four of their next five matches in all competitions, but this reverse leaves them languishing in 12th place and searching for stability.

“There is always a time and place for stern words,” Howe said. “We try to be laser focused on every game, but with the volume of fixtures, your focus can be swayed.”

The warning signs were evident. Newcastle conceded from a corner for Everton’s opener, while Nick Pope’s spill allowed Beto to convert the rebound for the second. Even after Murphy’s equaliser, defensive slackness left them exposed once more.

Newcastle have now conceded 23 goals since their last clean sheet, underlining a defensive vulnerability that contrasts sharply with their early season solidity, when they recorded five shutouts in their opening seven league matches.

“We know where the mistakes happened,” Murphy said. “We have to reflect and go forward. We cannot get hyper emotional. That will just cause panic.”

Despite the domestic frustrations, Newcastle still have much to anticipate, including a Champions League last 16 tie against Barcelona. Yet their Premier League struggles continue to define their campaign.

“We can raise our game when we need to,” Howe said. “I do not think that is a sign of a top team. We have to be at that level all the time. If you are off, you get punished.”

Once again, Newcastle were punished, and Everton departed Tyneside with a result that exposed the fragility still haunting Howe’s side.