In the last game before another pointless international break, Newcastle travelled to Everton as both sides looked to bounce back from defeats in their last round of fixtures.
Both managers made 4 changes to their retrospective teams. Email Krafth, Joe Willock, Joelinton and Ryan Fraser all returned to the starting eleven for Eddie Howe’s side. For Frank Lampard’s Everton, there was no Jordan Pickford or De Beek who miss out with illness, Calvert Lewin returned to the bench after his lay off.
The hosts had the first chance of the game with four minutes on the clock, Ben Godfrey headed at goal from a corner but Martin Dubravka had no problem claiming it. Five minutes later it was Chris Wood who thought he’d try his luck at putting the ball in the back of the net but he couldn’t direct his header from Ryan Frasers cross away from straight into the arms of Begovic. Newcastle controlled the majority of the first half possession wise with the hosts only scoring a measly 36% which is a stat that would often be the other way around earlier on in the season. Both sides pushed as the half went on with Newcastle having six efforts at goal and only allowing Everton two touches in the opposition penalty area for the whole half. Half Time 0-0.
The visitors got the second half underway and shortly after the restart Joe Willock unleashed a tame effort at goal which was comfortably gathered up by Begovic. The majority of the second half was a scrappy affair with no major chances for either side, Saint-Maximin was brought on for the Magpies and Calvert-Lewin joined the game for the hosts. Everton went down to ten men in the 82minute when Allan was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Saint-Maximin. Craig Pawson originally shown a yellow card for the challenge but after a VAR intervention he decided it was worse than it originally looked. As we entered a barbaric 14 minutes of added time, the ten men of Everton took the lead through Alex Iwobi who fired low past the stranded Martin Dubravka. Allan Saint-Maximin was dispossessed by Seamus Coleman near the half-way line before Calvert-Lewin played in the former Arsenal youngster who didn’t waste his opportunity. The visitors couldn’t find an equaliser despite having the extra man and lose the game 1-0.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: Newcastle didn’t deserve a win tonight, they shouldn’t have lost it either but they only have themselves to blame. Allan Saint-Maximin lost the ball far too cheaply in the build up to Everton’s goal. Bringing him on with twenty minutes to go was the wrong call, had he been in from the start then Everton might have been more ruffled by his presence. Two defeats in two games for the Magpies but they are still 9 points clear of the relegation zone and hopefully this break will give the squad a chance to regroup before a challenging game against Tottenham on the 3rd April. We aren’t out of the woods just yet but things could be worse. Could still be under Steve Bruce or Mike Ashley! Keep the faith everyone!
What’s Next? Newcastle are guests of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 3rd April in a 16:30 KO and Everton visit West Ham United the same day for a 14:00 KO.
Everton Line Up: A Begovic, M Holgate, M Keane, B Godfrey, Allan, A Doucoure, A Iwobi, S Coleman, Richarlison (86, A Gomes), D Grey (75, D Calvert-Lewin), A Gordon (104, A Townsend).
Everton Bench: A Lonergan, H Tyrer, N Patterson, V Mykolenko, D Alli, A Gomes, A Townsend, S Rondon, D Calvert-Lewin.
Newcastle United Line Up: M Dubravka, M Targett, D Burn, F Schar, E Krafth (92, J Manquillo), B Guimaraes, J Willock, Joelinton, M Almiron (69, A Saint-Maximin), C Wood, R Fraser (81, J Murphy).
Newcastle United Bench: K Darlow, P Dummett, J Lascelles, J Manquillo, S Longstaff, J Murphy, M Ritchie, A Saint-Maximin, D Gayle.
Match Officials: Craig Pawson (Referee), Lee Betts & Richard West (Assistant’s), Mike Dean (Fourth Official), Stuart Attwell (VAR), Darren Cann (Assistant VAR).
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