Calvert-Lewin rescues crucial draw for Everton at Newcastle with late penalty

Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescued what could prove a valuable point for Everton in the Premier League relegation scrap as his late penalty earned a dramatic draw at Newcastle.

Amid the threat of a potential second points deduction – a decision could be made as early as this week – this feels like a point gained after Calvert-Lewin cancelled out Alexander Isak’s opener.

And that somewhat defies the fact Everton have now extended their winless run to 13 Premier League games – their worst streak in the league since 1957.

Nevertheless, the point leaves Everton four points above the relegation zone on a night where rivals Nottingham Forest boosted their own survival hopes with victory over Fulham.

For Newcastle, this point goes down as a missed opportunity in their pursuit of European football next season.

The hosts had their chances to put this match to bed, but after Isak scored for the fifth straight game at St James’ Park, they could not find that all-important second before Calvert-Lewin scored his first goal in 24 games to level the match.

“Give Dyche some credit,” Shay Given said at full-time on TNT Sports. “The changes really helped Everton.”

Indeed, a triple sub just after the hour-mark changed the tone of the match, with Everton going on to hit the post before Calvert-Lewin’s late penalty.

Sure, Newcastle had their own opportunities to stretch their advantage, but Dyche will be buoyed by the fact his side turned a match around that was looking to be heading only one way.

There would be no point for Everton without ex-Sunderland goalkeeper Pickford, who made some big saves in both halves to deny Newcastle.

“Pickford showed the character you need to get a point at a place like this,” Joleon Lescott said on TNT Sports.

Newcastle: Dubravka 6, Krafth 7, Schar 6, Burn 7, Hall 7, Guimaraes 7, Longstaff 7, Anderson 7, Murphy 7, Barnes 8, Isak 8.

Subs: Willock 6, Dummett 6.

Everton: Pickford 8, Godfrey 6, Tarkowski 6, Branthwaite 5, Mykolenko 6, Gueye 5, Onana 6, McNeil 5, Young 6, Doucoure 5, Beto 4.

Subs: Gomes 6, Calvert-Lewin 7, Garner 6, Chermiti 6, Coleman n/a.

15’ GOAL! NEWCASTLE 1-0 EVERTON (ISAK) – Isak scores again at St James’ Park! After some pinball in the middle of the pitch, Barnes then lofts the ball over Tarkowski for Isak to run onto. He’s one on one with Branthwaite, dances past him… evades Tarkowski… then slots a fine effort past Pickford.

45 HUGE SAVE! – Newcastle are knocking on the door late on in this first half, and you get the sense a second would be curtains for Everton. They have Pickford to thank again, with England’s No 1 using his feet to deny Murphy, whose volley was low and on target.

58’ GOAL? VAR CHECK – All too easy for Newcastle. A quick free-kick finds Isak, whose cross then picks out Burn in the middle… BUT it’s an offside check.

60’ VAR SAYS… OFFSIDE! – They’re zooming in, checking it once, twice, thrice… And indeed, Isak is a whisker offside.

67’ EVERTON HIT THE POST! – Blimey… Garner almost the super-sub there for Everton, but his right-footed effort bends past Dubravka and strikes the inside of the post.

69’ OFF THE LINE! – Brilliant play from Barnes down the left and it looks as though he has another assist and Isak another goal, but Mykolenko is there on the line to head it away. Isak just didn’t connect with it properly.

86’ TO THE MONITOR! – Dummett appears to be holding Young as the cross comes in. Young goes down, wants a penalty and now VAR are checking it… One of those that could be given every match? Perhaps… But now referee Tony Harrington is going to the pitch-side monitor to review the incident.

87’ PENALTY TO EVERTON! – Harrington watches a replay of the incident three times, and then points to the penalty spot! Dummett appears to wrestle Young to the ground, with his arm around the Everton player’s neck. Needless… What a moment this could be for Everton.

88’ GOAL! NEWCASTLE 1-1 EVERTON (CALVERT-LEWIN) – A long wait, but eventually Calvert-Lewin steps up and… scores!! Dubravka gets a hand on the penalty, diving the right way, but it still finds the net and Everton are level!!