Malick Thiaw scored the fastest goal of the season after just 55 seconds as Newcastle coasted to their first Premier League away win since April with a 4-1 victory at Everton.
The hosts showed none of the fight and resilience in evidence during Monday’s 10-man win at Old Trafford and the three goals they conceded in the first half were a result of defensive shortcomings.
So woeful was the performance, a number of fans were not prepared to give any more of their Saturday night to a lost cause and made their exits at half-time, leaving plenty of empty seats when the second half kicked off.
Everton made it all too easy for Newcastle, now within four points of fourth, who could not believe their luck with a goal in the first minute.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden had set the new benchmark for fastest goal just after 3pm but Thiew shaved four seconds off that.
Jordan Pickford tipped Anthony Elanga’s low shot around the post almost straight from kick-off and Thiaw, scoring his first goal since a £35 million summer move from AC Milan, rose between centre-backs James Tarkowski and Michael Keane in the six-yard box.
Pickford was next at fault, although he was not on his own, as – obstructed by Tarkowski – he allowed Lewis Miley’s shot to go right through him after Tim Iroegbunam’s mis-control had led to pinball inside the penalty area.
In between, Everton had the better of the game but could not make decisive inroads, which has been their failing for some time, and although the crossbar came to Pickford’s rescue by keeping out Lewis Hall’s deflected shot, Nick Woltemade put the game out of reach in first-half stoppage time.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had defended Nick Pope after a series of high-profile errors but was spared making
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