Alex Iwobi’s late strike engulfs Newcastle and boosts Everton’s hopes of survival

Alex Iwobi scored an impressive 99th minute goal to help Frank Lampard’s Everton win 1-0 over Newcastle at Goodison Park on Thursday night, boosting their hopes of survival

It was one of those times, a night of mad drama By Everton president of the theater impresario Bill Kenwright would be proud of. It’s wonderful, wonderful, Alex Iwobi comes to a finale that knocks the house down… almost literally, it’s the noise it inspires Goodison believers.

With his team reduced to 10 men – after another desperate controversial VAR call – and trying to cling to a valuable point in the face of a physical imposition Newcastlehe scored a pretty miraculous goal in the 99th minute, causing scenes of utter carnage.

New coach Frank Lampard, overcome with a frenzied emotion, revealed later that he broke his arm in the middle of the celebration. Hard men cried in the stands. The noise is not only shrill, but sonic boom territory.

Drama is hardly the word for it. Goodison hadn’t seen a night like this in years. Even before the crazy moments that turned this contest, both sides devoted an intensity of effort and passion reminiscent of a proper, old-fashioned tie.

And that’s no surprise, because so much is at stake. The fear of a slump was evident on the terraces, the Blues supporters inspired and united behind their team, and the visiting fans responded with equal passion.

Everton Their approach was quite frenetic at first, their plan seemingly merely to ignite the fan base and use emotions to inspire themselves, but Newcastle proved more confusing, clearer in their intentions.

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The sensible decision of their new coach Eddie Howe to add massive numbers and fearsome power to his side in the January transfer window, it seems, will be the deciding factor in the game.

Chris Wood had two great chances he should have done better, and was denied a third time by an unlikely save from the revived Michael Keane. Seamus Coleman, a notable inspiration as captain, repeated the feat soon after.

However, they were interrupted by the first moment of inevitable drama to hold back the competition. A climate activist organized a ‘direct action protest’ against the continued use of fossil fuels, by tying herself to a post, just before an hour.

Just Stop Oil, his slogan said, and for the Newcastle owners it really showed, as it turned the game in favor of Everton, with Anthony Gordon very close to opening the scoring for Everton. The Blues, and Coleman shouted for a denied penalty. .

But then, with the game more even in the final 10 minutes, Blues midfielder Allan caused controversy when he was sent off for a tackle on Allan Saint Maximin, sending the game back to Newcastle, and keep his desperate team going.

After that, Lampard got upset and suggested that referees should now not be used as VAR officials, because they are sticking together.

Yet somehow, when 14 minutes of stoppage time appeared, Everton were glued together. Sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin has played Iwobi brilliantly, and he could have created a pivotal moment in this club’s history.

It made Kenwright proud. Lampard revealed before the game he gave a speech to the players about what it means to be an Evertonian and after the final whistle they lined up to celebrate with him. There were tears again.

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