Everton is aiming for Europe after ‘huge’ win in Newcastle

Jarrad Branthwaite says Everton have their sights set on European qualification after beating Newcastle United on Saturday.

The centre-back opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he headed into an inswinging corner at the near post.

A ding-dong brawl ensued as both sides exchanged goals before impact sub Thierno Barry bundled the ball over the line to score the winner late on.

“It’s a huge win,” Branthwaite said after the final whistle. “We knew it would be difficult to get here, but we had to get a result. We dug in and the way we bounced back after conceding a goal.

On scoring from set pieces, the defender said: “It’s something we’ve been working on, so it’s nice to be able to do it. The manager has been with us all season to score more goals from set pieces, so luckily I got one today to help the team.”

Jordan Pickford ensured Everton secured all three points with a sensational save deep into stoppage time, hitting Sandro Tonali’s rasping strike onto the crossbar.

“The best save I’ve ever seen, I don’t know how he did it,” Branthwaite added. “We know how much of a top goalkeeper he is. When he does things like that it’s magical, he kept us in the game in the end.”

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It was the Toffees’ seventh away win this season, continuing their great form on the road. They have scored 24 points away from home, joint second behind Arsenal.

“Playing away from home has been a big part of our game this season. We have to change that to home form and we can step up, so we have to continue as we are.”