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Andy Burnham: Everton win over Newcastle 'as good as football gets'
Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has been unable to get over the Everton win against Newcastle at Goodison Park this week (17 March).
Frank Lampard’s men scored their first league goal since 12 February, and secured vital first points since the same date, with the 1-0 victory over the Magpies thanks to Alex Iwobi’s late goal.
Inside a packed ground the atmosphere was immense as the 99th-minute strike lifted the club three points clear of the relegation zone.
A prolonged delay caused by a protester attaching themselves to the goalpost lead to 14 minutes of stoppage time, ramping up the tension before the Nigerian’s goal sparked wild celebrations.
Writing on his personal Twitter account last night (18 March), the politician and big Toffees fan said: “It’s almost 24 hours later but, honestly, Goodison last night was as good as football gets.”
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He’s got a point, as the huge amounts of frustration and disappointment that had built up over recent weeks came pouring out under the lights.
After the disappointing loss to Wolves five days earlier was met with a subdued resignation among fans, the Everton twelfth man was back in full force on Thursday night.
It was the kind of atmosphere that had been talked up ahead of the two home games as being what the team need to drag them away from danger.
As was seen in the wins over Brentford and Leeds since Lampard’s arrival, the players rose to the occasion on the back of the crowd’s support.
What is so lacking away from Merseyside was provided in abundance, heightened by the nerves of knowing how important the win was.
The sense of injustice brought about by Craig Pawson’s controversial decision to overrule himself and show Allan a red card only increased the tension.
After the celebrations when the goal went in, and again at the final whistle, there will be plenty of fans who share Burnham’s view completely.
In other Everton news, the former chief of referees says VAR should have been told to “get lost” on the controversial incident.
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