Theo Walcott nets Everton’s winner

Everton’s Theo Walcott struck just after half-time to secure a 1-0 home win over Newcastle United on Monday that took the Merseyiders up to eighth in the Premier League, their highest position this season.

Deep cross

After an uneventful opening half at Goodison Park, Everton went in front in the 51st minute when Yannick Bolasie whipped in a deep cross from the right and former Arsenal winger Walcott brought the ball down before taking his time to fire home the winner and lift it to 45 points from 35 games.

Tenth-placed Newcastle had plenty of late pressure, as it searched for a point that would mathematically ensure its top- flight survival, but was unable to create an opening and remains on 41 points, 12 above the relegation zone.

Verona edged closer to a return to Serie B after just one season on Monday after falling to a 3-1 defeat against Genoa, whose top-flight survival is assured.

Brazilian Daniel Bessa — who moved on loan to Genoa from Verona in January — scored a goal which could see his parent team relegated.

Genoa moved up to 11th position, while Verona is six points from safety with just four games left, including tough clashes against champions Juventus and AC Milan to come.

The results:

Premier League: Everton 1 (Walcott 51) bt Newcastle 0.

La Liga: Athletic Bilbao 1 (Raul Garcia 8) lost to Levante 3 (Bardhi 42, 44, Morales 90).

Serie A: Genoa 3 (Medeiros 6, Bessa 78, Pandev 90+3) bt Verona 1 (Romulo 64-pen).