Iwobi nets late winner for Everton, breaks 30-month jinx
Iwobi’s strike for Everton was the second-latest winning goal on record (since 2006-07), timed at 98 minutes and 19 seconds
For the first time since September 2019, Nigerian star, Alex Iwobi finally scored a goal at Goodison Park and it proved to be a vital one.
Iwobi's 99th-minute winner saw 10-man Everton beat Newcastle 1-0 at Goodison Park after a lengthy delay as a fan tied himself to a goalpost.
In a tight, scrappy game lacking quality, neither side was able to craft many clear-cut chances for the majority of the contest.
Alex Iwobi has scored at Goodison Park for time since September 2019.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 17, 2022
What an important goal that could be for the Toffees! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hAsrc9U31G
Everton were dealt a blow late on after a VAR check saw Allan's yellow card upgraded to a straight red after a reckless, late challenge on Newcastle substitute Allan Saint-Maximin.
However, the Toffees still claimed a narrow victory as substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin's backheel set Iwobi up to steer a low effort in and end Everton's four-match losing streak.
Everton manager Frank Lampard's delight was evident at full-time, with the Toffees boss revealing he had injured himself as he celebrated Iwobi's goal.
He said: "I've broken my hand in the celebrations. My bones must be going soft, I don't remember the moment.
"It was an amazing night and we need those nights. Spirit and togetherness, the players stood up tonight.
"It was not a night for quality or calm. It means so much to the stadium we all felt that. I wanted to use the atmosphere. Everton fans wanted to see passion. We proved what we could be tonight.
"I don't think it is a red card. It is a yellow, yes, is it a strong yellow? Possibly. But that isn't a clear error. It was the wrong decision and we lose Allan for three games."
VIDEO: Watch @alexiwobi's brilliant goal for @Everton in their 1-0 hone win over @NUFC at the Goodison Park on Thursday night. It was Iwobi's second league goal of the season from 17 games.
— Olatunde Liadi (@OlatundeLiadi) March 17, 2022
Video Credit: Premier League. pic.twitter.com/Ztjg0pXzJM
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, meanwhile, expressed his disappointment at the result and the performance.
He said: "It is very disappointing. I don't know why that second half was lacking in that bit of quality.
"It was our game to win and we didn't grab that opportunity."
Iwobi’s strike for Everton was the second-latest winning goal on record (since 2006-07), timed at 98 minutes and 19 seconds, behind only Bruno Fernandes’ winner for Manchester United in a 3-2 win at Brighton in September 2020 (99:45).
