Everton produced a commanding performance in a pre-season international club friendly at St. James' Park on 13 August 2026, defeating Newcastle United 3-1. The result gave the Toffees a confidence-boosting win over their Premier League rivals and offered a glimpse of their attacking potential ahead of the new campaign.

Match Report: A Strong Start from Everton

From the opening whistle, Everton looked sharp and organised, pressing Newcastle high and forcing early errors. Their pressure paid off when they opened the scoring in the first half with a well-taken goal from close range. Newcastle attempted to respond, pushing forward through the wings, but the Everton defence remained resolute.

Newcastle levelled the match midway through the first half, converting a clever set-piece routine to restore parity. The goal lifted the home crowd, and the match opened up with both sides creating chances in an entertaining, high-tempo friendly.

Everton Take Control

The second half belonged to Everton, who re-took the lead with a superb strike from the edge of the area that left the Newcastle goalkeeper stranded. The visitors then sealed the victory with a third goal late in the game, capping off a polished counter-attacking move that cut through the home defence.

While the fixture was ultimately a friendly, the intensity and quality on display suggested both managers are keen to fine-tune their tactical setups. Everton's decisive performance will be especially encouraging for their supporters, as the team looks to build momentum before competitive action resumes.

Key Performances

• Everton's attacking trio: Looked lively throughout, combining well and providing constant problems for the Newcastle backline.
• Newcastle's response: Showed character to equalise, but defensive lapses proved costly against a clinical Everton side.
• Friendly context: Both managers made multiple substitutions, allowing fringe players valuable minutes on the pitch.

In the end, the 3-1 scoreline accurately reflected Everton's superiority, though Newcastle will take positives from their first-half display. The two sides will now continue their preseason preparations, looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of what promises to be a demanding season.