Everton aiming for Europe following ‘massive’ Newcastle win

28/02/2026

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Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. — Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

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

The centre-back opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he met an inswinging corner with his head at the near post.

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

“It’s a massive win,” Branthwaite said after the final whistle. “We knew coming here was gonna be difficult but we had to get a result. We dug in and then the way we bounced back from conceding.

On scoring from a set piece, the defender said: “It’s something we had been working on so it’s nice for it to come off. The manager’s been at us all season to score more goals from set pieces so thankfully I got one today to help the team.”

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

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

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It was the Toffees’ seventh away win this season, continuing their marvellous form on the road. They have picked up 24 points away from home, the joint-second most after Arsenal.

“It’s been a big part of our game this season playing away from home. We need to change that to the home form and we can push right up the table so we’ve got to keep going the way we are.”