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Men's Football Ancelotti praises two-goal hero Calvert-Lewin as Toffees stick it to Magpies

Everton make it two out of two under new boss

TYNESIDE felt the cold nip of defeat for the first time since August as Everton ran out 2-1 winners over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s brace either side of half-time, and Fabian Schar’s equaliser, secured a first away win for Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees and brought to an end the Magpies’ eight-game unbeaten home run.

The Italian was full of praise for Calvert-Lewin, a player he believes could become one of Europe’s best strikers.

“He is a fantastic striker,” he said. 

“He is fantastic with the head, clever in the box, sharp, but for this reason he has to improve. 

“He is a humble guy, I think he will be a top striker in England and in Europe.”

Newcastle went on the attack straight away, with Miguel Almiron sprinting clear of Michael Keane to meet a pass from Joelinton. He lost his footing at the vital moment and scuffed his shot wide, but he already looked to be benefiting from ending his goal drought recently.

The visitors began to assert themselves gradually, with Martin Dubravka making a superb double save to deny Moise Kean and Mason Holgate. Moments later, though, Everton went ahead when Calvert-Lewin fired home from close range.

Good combination between Andy Carroll and Joelinton created a half chance for the Brazilian; he controlled the flick on well, but failed to generate enough power to really test Jordan Pickford.

It all seemed a little too easy for Everton, who were finding a lot of joy down the right-hand side. But a disallowed goal for offside against Andy Carroll, who finished the rebound after Almiron hit the post, seemed to spark a shift in momentum.

Almiron was enjoying himself and he played a superb cross from the left, which eventually fell to Issac Hayden, who volleyed just over. Three other chances came and went before the break; first Pickford denied Schar from distance, before Florian Lejeune and Almiron both shot wide.

The second half started much like the first, with Dubravka twice thwarting Kean as Everton found space down the right again.

Newcastle levelled when Jonjo Shelvey’s free-kick eventually found its way to Schar, but they were behind again on 64 minutes. 

Calvert-Lewin bundled home Richarlison’s low cross, moments after Holgate saw a goal chalked off for offside.

The hosts were loose at the back throughout and left themselves exposed. They appealed for a penalty after a coming together between Carroll and Djibril Sidibe late on, but they didn’t do enough after going behind a second time.

Ancelotti’s substitutions helped Everton grasp the game and secure a second successive victory.

Steve Bruce believed his side deserved more out of the game and, while he couldn’t hide his disappointment at the result, he remained philosophical about the club’s position heading into the new year.

“It is always frustrating when you think you don’t deserve to get beaten,” he said.

“After getting back into the game we had a really good 20-25 minutes but then were caught by a sucker punch. 

“The effort and endeavour meant they didn’t deserve to lose.

“We are halfway there. We have done OK and given ourselves a nice platform for the second half of the season. 

“We hope we can do better on the injury front. We hope that clears up.”

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