Newcastle 3-1 Everton
by Dom Smith
at St James' Park

FOOTBALL’S narrative moves at its own pace — quite an extraordinary pace for Newcastle United and Everton at the moment.

These are key days in the modern history of both clubs. Imagine being told in August that a Tuesday night game in February between Newcastle and Everton was going to involve Dele Alli, Donny van de Beek, the best creator in the first half of this French Ligue 1 season — Bruno Guimaraes — and the richest club in the world. How’s that for narrative?

It was a frantic, uncompromising start. Everton’s big Colombian centre-half Yerry Mina found that out inside the first two minutes. A lax pass into midfield was pounced on by Mapies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who arrowed just over from range. Mina made a few more misplaced passes before injury forced him off early. 19-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite replaced him and immediately looked more comfortable.