Newcastle 3-1 Everton: player ratings, heroes and villains as Dele Alli woeful on debut in relegation battle

Frank Lampard’s first Premier League game as Everton boss ended in a lacklustre 3-1 loss to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

And the defeat drags the Toffees further in the mire as they hover just above the relegation zone - with the Magpies moving within a point after their victory.

Everton were hit by two first-half injuries with Demarai Gray and Yerry Mina limping off.

But only seconds after the latter’s withdrawal, the visitors took the lead on 36 minutes.

Anthony Gordon’s free-kick caused chaos in the box and Mason Holgate’s shot was cleared off the line by Matt Targett but the ball hit team-mate Jamaal Lascelles and ricocheted into the net.

However, Newcastle were back only a minute later through a similar goal.

Lascelles atoned for his error when his powerful header from Kieran Trippier’s corner smacked the bar and bounced off Holgate with the ball crossing the line.

And Newcastle turned the tables and got themselves in front in the 56th minute when Ryan Fraser converted Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross.

Then Kieran Trippier wrapped up the three points for the Magpies when he found the bottom from a free-kick with 10 minutes to go.

The heroes

- Allan Saint-Maximin: the Frenchman was magnificent for Newcastle. Everton could barely shackle Saint-Maximin as he ran riot throughout. A huge player in the Magpies’ survival bid. Man of the match.

- Kieran Trippier: plenty of people have questioned the England international’s motive swapping Atletico Madrid for St James’ Park. But the way he celebrates his first goal for the club suggests he’s fully committed to the relegation dogfight.

- Eddie Howe: the Newcastle boss made a few brave calls when naming his starting XI. They paid off emphatically as the Geordies recorded back-to-back league wins.

The villains

- Andre Gomes: deserved to keep his place after his performance against Brentford. Yet Gomes really struggled to build any momentum. He was sloppy in possession and gave the ball away several times. Booked for a foul and then brought off before he could have potentially been sent off.

- Dele Alli: some have wondered if the midfielder will be able to capture the heights he did at Tottenham a few years ago. Those doubters will have the exact same stance as Alli was well below par on his debut after replacing Demarai Gray. Gave the ball away that led to Fraser’s chance and failed to then track back. Lots to prove.

- Frank Lampard: the Everton boss wasn’t helped by the injuries early in the game and being without the only left-back at the club in Vitaliy Mykolenko. But the decision to bring Alli on instead of Donny van de Beek has to be scrutinised - as does the decision to go with a two-man midfield from the outset and not change sooner. A baptism of fire.

Player ratings

Newcastle United: Dubravka 6, Trippier 7 (Manquillo 90+1), Schar 6, Lascelles 6, Targett 7, Willock 7 (Guimarães 90+1), Shelvey 7, Joelinton 7, Fraser 7 (Murphy 82), Wood 5, Saint-Maximin 9.

Everton: Pickford 5, Holgate 4 Keane 4, Mina 5 (Branthwaite 35; 5), Coleman 4 Allan 6, Gomes 4 (van de Beek 60; 5), Townsend 4, Gordon 6, Gray, 6 (Alli 25; 4) Richarlison 5.

What’s Everton’s next fixture?

The Toffees have another big game when they welcome Leeds United to Goodison Park on Saturday (15.00).