Everton stun Newcastle, improve chances of qualifying for Champions League

Newcastle Ross Barkley scored a remarkable goal to send Everton on their way to a 30 victory at Newcastle United that improved their prospects of qualifying for the Champions League next seasonRomelu Lukaku and Leon Osman added further goals in the secondhalf at St James Park on Tuesday as Everton increased the Premier League pressure on fourthplaced Arsenal moving within six points of the London club with a game in handThe quality of their performance personified by the contributions of Gerard Deulofeu indicated that manager Roberto Martinez is justified in believing a topfour finish is within the Merseysiders reachThe highlight of the match indeed one of the highlights of this or any other Premier League season was conjured up by Barkley in the 22nd minuteReferee Lee Mason was significantly involved when he signalled advantage when Deulofeu was fouled as he chested the ball down and Barkley certainly took advantageHe surged forward from midway inside his own half leaving four Newcastle players in his wake before he angled his run into the area and as Fabricio Colccini slipped powered a shot high into Tim Kruls goalIt was a memorable illustration of the technique and tenacity that will surely persuade England coach Roy Hodgson to include Barkley in his squad and possibly in his team at the World Cup finals in BrazilBarkley had already been involved along with Osman in a smart passing move that created an opening for Lukaku whose shot was saved by the legs of keeper KrulYet Newcastle were far sharper than the visitors in the initial stages when shots from Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran were blocked by James McCarthyCisse Luuk De Jong and Cheick Tiote also found space for shots from the edge of the area but Everton keeper Tim Howard had not been tested by the intervalAnd Everton could have been further ahead because Deulofeu an elusive threat throughout the game was inches away from steering an angled shot inside the far post with Krul beatenDeulofeu a Spaniard on loan from Barcelona was particularly influential at the start of the second half as he again showed why he is rated highly by the Catalan clubHis 52ndminute shot forced Krul to make another save with his legs as the defence opened up in front of him once againAnd within 60 seconds Deulofeus pace had taken him away from Paul Dummett before he delivered a low cross that presented Lukaku with a simple chance to score from close rangeIt was the signal for Newcastle to send on Hatem Ben Arfa who had transformed their performance when he made a similar secondhalf appearance against Crystal Palace last SaturdayThe French midfielder was largely on the fringes of the action on this occasion although he did create an opportunity for Vurnon Anita who sliced his shot wide from only three yards in the 79th minuteHoward was eventually forced into a save when he turned aside a header from Cisse ten minutes from the end but it was the only moment of concern for the keeper and his teammatesEverton added a third goal in the 87th minute with Deulofeu and Lukaku combining to set up Osman for a finish that was as clinical and compelling as this impressive display