Everton beat Newcastle United 1-0 at St James’ Park on the final day of the season.
Carlos Alcaraz broke the deadlock in the 65th-minute with a powerful header and that was enough to earn the Toffees a well-deserved three points.
Everton had nothing but pride to play for on the final day, but the situation was vastly different for Champions League chasing Newcastle.
In the end, Eddie Howe’s side did not win but the good NUFC news for their supporters was they still sealed their place in Europe’s elite competition next season following Aston Villa’s 2-0 loss at Manchester United.
Manager David Moyes made four changes to the team that beat Southampton last weekend in Goodison Park’s final league game.
Ashley Young and Michael Keane were part of the defence, while Alcaraz featured in the attacking midfield role with Jack Harrison playing on the right wing.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman sat out the match due to fitness issues, while Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil dropped to the bench.
Everton made a positive start to the away encounter and Alcaraz forced goalkeeper Nick Pope into a save early on.
James Garner then went close with a venomous drive that was blocked by Pope at full stretch.
Newcastle also created some good opportunities, but Jordan Pickford’s excellence between the sticks denied the efforts of Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and Sven Botman.
Newcastle replaced Anthony Gordon with Joe Willock for the second-half, but it was Everton who once again threatened to score.
Moyes’ men finally broke the deadlock on 65 minutes, with Alcaraz heading home Vitaliy Mykolenko’s cross from the left.
Newcastle really pushed for an equaliser but they couldn’t find a way past the visitors’ stubborn defence, with Everton sealing their fifth victory on the road since Moyes’ arrival in January.