More late magic as Lejeune gives Newcastle a 2-2 draw at Everton

Newcastle United’s Florian Lejeune scored twice in stoppage time to steal a point on the road vs. Everton.

For most of today’s match, Newcastle United lacked energy, composure on the backline, and any bite in the attack. But apparently, that doesn’t matter because the Magpies only score goals in stoppage time these days. With Everton leading 2-0 at Goodison Park entering stoppage time, Florian Lejeune scored twice in the dying minutes to give Newcastle United the most unlikely of draws.

Quick Kicks

• Let’s just start with the obvious: Florian Lejeune is our best striker. I’m just kidding…or am I? That was one of the most ridiculous appearances a substitute will ever have, especially as a defender. This man literally came on in the 70th minute on the backline and went ahead and put the ball across the line twice. Pure madness. Not only did he score, but his first goal was an acrobatic bicycle effort from a defender that just returned from a ruptured ACL last month.
• Is this a formula to win consistently? Of course not. There needs to be a much better overall effort and consistency in the attack, but this allows you to steal points, just like the Chelsea match, when you don’t play your best.
• Late wins also help galvanize the supporters. When the club wins in this dramatic fashion, it really draws you to the players, like the Cleveland Browns’ famous Cardiac Kids years. They were a scrappy bunch that didn’t always play great for the whole game, but they won in the final minutes and they were BELOVED by the fans.
• Now, let’s move past the insanity of the comeback and look at why it was needed. I have no clue what Jamaal Lascelles was thinking on either of the Everton goals. On the first goal, he took a big step forward and tried to head away the chipped pass, but it went comfortably over his head and allowed Moise Kean to score the opener. On the second goal, he could have stayed behind Dominic Calvert- Lewin and battled with him once he received the pass. But, he decided to try and step and slide in front of him to intercept it. He missed and Calvert-Lewin had an easier look on goal and he scored.
• Steve Bruce rotated the squad a little bit. He started the Longstaff brothers in midfield and played Christian Atsu ahead of Allan Saint-Maximin. It was wise to rest the Frenchman as he works his way back to full fitness and it should be a strong squad against Oxford United on Saturday.

Okay, What’s Next?

The aforementioned match vs. Oxford United. Newcastle United will play the League One side in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday at St. James’ Park.