It was a woeful performance from Newcastle in truth but they almost stole a point at the end of the game
Newcastle United first-half ratings – 3/10 ‘disaster’ & ‘disappointing’ Anthony Gordon v Everton
The second of five successive home games for Newcastle United saw them take on Everton just days after they had defeated Qarabag in the Champions League.
Eddie Howe named six changes to his starting XI from that game for the visit of David Moyes’ side, including returns for Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey who missed out in midweek due to suspension and injury respectively. Those six changes may have contributed to a slow start by the hosts who struggled for possession early on.
A mistake by Thiaw as Newcastle United looked to build an attack offered Everton the chance to strike at goal, but Dwight McNeil could only lift his strike well above Nick Pope’s crossbar. Joelinton was first to have a go for United, but like McNeil before him, his effort was too high.
Everton then deservedly took the lead in the 20th minute when Jarrad Branthwaite flicked in a corner past a stranded Pope. Sandro Tonali, the man guilty of losing his opponent for the goal.
A tactical tweak by Howe saw Nick Woltemade shift into striker on the half hour mark paid immediate dividends as Ramsey equalised with a deflected effort over Jordan Pickford. However, the Toffees were immediately ahead again when Beto followed in a long range effort from McNeil to tap home past Pope who was at fault for spilling the tame effort from his one-time Burnley teammate.
The Magpies pushed for an equaliser before the break but couldn’t test Pickford. Here are our half-time player ratings as Newcastle United trail 2-1 to Everton.
Dan Burn – 5
Made two good early headers but looked nervy throughout the first-half against Beto.
Lewis Hall – 6
Looked lively in attack and decent defensively, although he was caught flat-footed as Beto ghosted past him to equalise.
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Jacob Ramsey – 7
Enjoyed a lot of early touches and was confident and positive with the ball. Was easily his side’s best player in the first-half and deserved a slice of luck for his goal.
Sandro Tonali – 5
Completed a lungbusting run to deny a promising Everton counter-attack on the quarter hour mark. Got caught behind Brathwaite for the opening goal.
A mistake by Thiaw as Newcastle United looked to build an attack offered Everton the chance to strike at goal, but Dwight McNeil could only lift his strike well above Nick Pope’s crossbar. Joelinton was first to have a go for United, but like McNeil before him, his effort was too high.
Eddie Howe named six changes to his starting XI from that game for the visit of David Moyes’ side, including returns for Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey who missed out in midweek due to suspension and injury respectively. Those six changes may have contributed to a slow start by the hosts who struggled for possession early on
The Magpies twice came from behind to level the game through goals from Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy but goals from Jarrad Branthwaite, Beto and Thierno Barry ensured the Toffees left Tyneside with a crucial three points.
It was a woeful performance from Newcastle in truth but they almost stole a point at the end of the game only for Jordan Pickford to somehow touch a Sandro Tonali volley on to the crossbar in stoppage time in one of the saves of the season.
Defensive woes cannot be ignored
By Eddie Howe’s own admission, Newcastle self-imploded. Twice the Magpies got back into the game and twice they fell behind again within a minute.
First Nick Pope somehow parried the ball into Beto’s path from a harmless Dwight McNeil effort after Ramsey levelled the game at 1-1. Then Anthony Gordon gifted Everton possession less than a minute after Jacob Murphy made it 2-2. Kieran Dewsbury-Hall advanced with the ball and rolled the ball into Barry’s path as he bundled the ball home.
