Premier League: Perfect Everton have eyes on top four finish
NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 EVERTON 3
THE PERFECT away performance, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez, saw the Toffees take full advantage of Arsenal’s slip up against Swansea to close in on a top-four place.
A stunning first-half goal from England international midfielder Ross Barkley, was followed by strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Leon Osman to complete a fourth straight league win.
The Toffees convincing performance also mustered their first away win in the Premier League in 2014 and merited their biggest on the road since Martinez succeeded David Moyes last summer.
“I knew we would have to be perfect to keep a clean sheet here and I thought our performance was complete,” said Martinez. “We controlled the game for long spells. As an away performance that’s as good as it can get. The players put in a real shift and I’m really pleased with that performance.”
Barkley opened the scoring on 22 minutes with a sublime solo effort.
On 52 minutes Lukaku finished from close range and the scoring was completed on 87 minutes when Leon Osman powered past Krul from just inside th penalty area.
Everton are now six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, with a game in hand, in the race to snatch the final Champions League qualification spot. Arsene Wenger’s team are also the next visitors to Goodison Park on 6 April.