Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe praised another “game-changing” goal from Miguel Almiron as his side underlined their top-six credentials by beating Everton.
The Paraguayan scored a fifth goal of the season with a lovely curling finish from 25 yards as the Magpies extended their unbeaten run to six games to remain sixth in the table.
Howe’s side took control of the first half through midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who came close to scoring on two occasions, and then saw out victory against an Everton team which failed to register a shot on target despite a first start of the season by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The England international returned from injury and headed over from a first-half corner, but it was Jordan Pickford who was the busier of the two England goalkeepers on show as Newcastle’s Nick Pope was rarely troubled.
After a promising start to the season, this was a third consecutive defeat for Frank Lampard’s side, who have also lost against Tottenham and Manchester United.
They sit a point above the bottom three, but will hope for a more encouraging result at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be thankful Calvert-Lewin completed 73 minutes without further problems.
But Almiron’s fourth goal in as many games proved the difference, with Howe describing the strike as “spectacular”.
He said: “Some of the goals he’s scoring have been game changers for us, so I’m really pleased for him on a personal level because he’s getting the recognition that he deserves for everything he gives the team, and long may that continue.
“You can’t underestimate the quality of the goals that he’s delivered for us. The one against Fulham was an incredible strike and this one, Bruno’s weight of pass to him is very good so he was able to hit it first time, but still he had so much to do.
“I think what I have noticed is real confidence in his training and his technical delivery of what we’re asking him to do. I think that’s definitely going up a level.”