A rain-soaked match at Goodison Park saw Everton hold off a Newcastle United attack that was badly missing finish in a 3-0 decision on Wednesday.
Aaron Lennon scored early and won a second half penalty that Ross Barkley converted to give the Toffees their first home win since November. Barkley then won and converted a stoppage time penalty that saw Jamal Lascelles leave the game with a red card.
Barkley chipped his 93rd minute penalty with cheeky style to salt it away.
Everton are in 11th with 33 points, while Newcastle remains two points shy of safety ahead of their weekend game against fellow strugglers West Brom.
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USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard missed out on the 18 altogether with what was being called a “calf injury”.
Andros Townsend made his debut for Newcastle, but Seydou Doumbia was left on the bench.
One thing Newcastle didn’t address was its back four, and Lennon scored a sour goal through four defenders that bobbled past Rob Elliot to make it 1-0 in the 24th minute.
The Toffees probably should’ve had two or three. Ross Barkley caught Elliot off his line but floated his shot over the goal.
[ MORE: Latest Premier League standings ]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
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Lennon made a great dribble toward the 18 to force Elliot into giving up a juicy rebound, but Arouna Kone lashed the chance well wide of the frame.
Ross Barkley unleashed a hard swirling ball that Elliot dove to push over the frame, and the Toffees kept pushing for goal No. 2. Ramiro Funes Mori headed the ensuing corner just wide.
Elliot was again the star when he extended to stop Tom Cleverley’s free kick from sneaking in near post.
Yet another great chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic was left unfinished when he beat Funes Mori into the 18 but couldn’t first-touch a cross past Joel Robles.
The Magpies found some pressure late, and Joel made a terrific stop on an Ayoze Perez volley. Newcastle had a pair of corners, but couldn’t find a goal.
Lennon earned a penalty when Rolando Aarons scythed him down in the 87th minute, and Barkley stepped up to slot the chance home. Match over.
