A decade ago today, Everton produced one of their outstanding away performances of the Premier League era as Roberto Martinez’s rampant side tore apart Newcastle United 3-0 at St James’ Park.
Watching back through the footage, Blues fans could be forgiven for being somewhat wistful. Home-grown hero Ross Barkley dances through the Magpies defence with a majestic 70-yard run before despatching an emphatic finish into the roof of the net at the Gallowgate End with what was one of the all-time great individual goals by any Everton player – having been privileged enough to witness it up close, when the ECHO did an article on the Blues’ goal of the decade in 2019, it was this correspondent’s choice.
Throughout the move, prolific striker Romelu Lukaku can be seen screaming for the ball but he is all-smiles when the ball goes in with Barkley making a ‘hush’ gesture towards the home fans. The Belgian need have no concerns though as he is next up on the score sheet, sliding in with an instinctive toe-poke from Gerard Deulofeu’s inviting pass showing how the ‘Rom and Geri Show’ was in full swing at the time.
The Spanish winger’s twinkling toes are also evident in the third goal as he picks out Lukaku again only for the striker to unselfishly lay the ball into the path of captain Leon Osman who plants a perfectly-struck drive into the net from the edge of the area to complete the rout. En route to a club record Premier League points tally of 72, it was a night in which everything clicked for the Blues.
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