Newcastle United vs. Everton: Final score 0-3, Toffees cruise at St. James’ Park

Everton are still within a shout for fourth place, and they certainly didn’t do their chances any damage at St. James’ Park, running riot over a thoroughly mediocre Newcastle United in a 3-0 win.

An entertaining first half ended 1-0 to Everton, who took the lead in the 22nd minute through a fantastic solo goal from Ross Barkley. Prior to the opener, the match was superbly poised, with chances at both ends -- James McCarthy blocked goal-bound shots from Papiss Cisse and then Yoann Gouffran in quick succession, while Tim Krul had to be alert to stop Romelu Lukaku after a superb pass from Leon Osman carved the Magpies wide open.

But Krul could do nothing about Barkley’s magnificent strike. From a Newcastle corner, Everton cleared the ball to midfield, and from there the 20-year-old took over, driving deep into the hosts’ half, skipping past Vurnon Anita and the downed Fabricio Coloccini before smashing a shot into the roof of the net.

Newcastle reacted well, pushing hard for an equaliser, but that meant they were leaving space behind for the Toffees to attack. Gerard Deulofeu gave the hosts plenty of warning shots, but they went unheeded, and eventually he’d make them pay. Escaping Paul Dummett’s attentions on the Everton right, the Barcelona loanee had time and space to square for Lukaku, who touched the ball past Krul.

Anita should have reduced the deficit in the 78th minute following a mazy run by Hatem Ben Arfa, but despite being presented with a virtually open goal the midfielder diverted the low cross to the wrong side of Tim Howard’s left-hand post. The Everton goalkeeper had more to do shortly thereafter, parrying a header from Cisse that looked potentially goal bound.

But the game was already won, and Osman finished the job three minutes from time, receiving a feed from Lukaku near the edge of the box before clipping into the top corner.

Goals: Barkley 22’, Lukaku 54’, Osman 87’.