Newcastle United suffered its second defeat to Everton in five days as Thierno Barry's second-half goal condemned Matthias Jaissle's side to a 1-0 Premier League loss at St James' Park.
The Magpies slipped to 13th after a fourth defeat in five matches across all competitions, with frustration spilling from the stands at both halftime and the final whistle, and NUFC now just four points above the relegation battle.
Newcastle started with Anthony Elanga and Joelinton back in the lineup following Thursday's 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Everton. Harvey Barnes provided most of the early attacking threat, getting wide and delivering several dangerous balls, but clear chances remained scarce.
Everton grew into the first half and looked increasingly comfortable as time advanced. Jake O'Brien couldn't convert Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross, while Harrison Armstrong dragged another opportunity wide. Newcastle reached halftime without conceding but was booed by parts of the Geordie faithful after producing little offensive danger.
The breakthrough arrived four minutes after the break, when Newcastle switched off from a quick free kick, allowing Dewsbury-Hall to release Tyrique George. His low shot squeezed underneath Lukas Hornicek, leaving Barry free to tap in from close range. VAR checked two possible offsides before allowing the goal to stand.
Everton threatened to extend its lead as Jarrad Branthwaite and O'Brien forced saves from Hornicek, and Newcastle finally came close in the 66th minute when Barnes' delivery reached Elanga at the far post. The winger's close-range effort struck the post and rolled across the goal line before being cleared.
Jaissle introduced Yoane Wissa and 18-year-old Sean Steur shortly after the hour, with Steur receiving one of the loudest cheers of the evening… to no effect. Jacob Ramsey later volleyed narrowly wide before Wissa was denied twice by Pickford, including a sharp late save with his feet. Newcastle's first shot on target did not arrive until the 84th minute.
Putting the cherry on top of the poop sundae, Ramsey ended up receiving two yellow cards in quick succession and being sent off in the 98th minute.
Jaissle accepted responsibility for the reasonable reaction of those watching from the stands on Monday.
"Of course, after a performance like that, I can understand it," Jaissle said. "That's the reality and I'm responsible for that."
Newcastle has now won only once in five home league games this season and remains without a clean sheet at St James' Park. The Magpies travel to Fulham on Saturday needing a response after another damaging defeat while we wait for PIF to do something, whether the fix means undoing their 10-million investment from a few months earlier.
