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Newcastle 3 Everton 1 – The three big points that I’m taking from the match

2 years ago
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Tuesday night was a real six-pointer and the team grabbed the opportunity with both hands, a final score of Newcastle 3 Everton 1 fully deserved.

Despite a comedy own goal early on (which in fairness was completely out of Lascelles’ control), we looked in complete control for the entire game.

Everton looked like a team bereft of confidence, with sloppy passes and shanked clearances all over the place and it would have been an easy thing to sit back and try to hold on to what we had…but we didn’t.

We were all over the pitch, forcing errors, pressuring their midfield and dictating play. This result and the performance in particular, should hopefully spur us on to finish the season strongly.

Here are the three main points I’m taking from the match.

ASM continues to be the difference maker

As we all know, ASM is an amazing player and can change a game in a moment.

I think this was one of the best games I’ve seen him play as he was electric for the entire match, not just in parts.

Throughout the game he tore up the flanks, tied defenders in knots and left those trying to foul him on the floor, quite literally in some cases! He got the assist for the all important second goal, creating space that didn’t even seem to be there and looping a cross over the entire Everton back line, leaving Fraser to bundle into the back of the net.

On another day he could have had a goal himself and another pair of assists, only to be denied by the post (Murphy) and an offside flag (Wood.) Be that as it may, if he continues to pull out performances like that every match, we’re in with a chance of beating anyone.

Performance boosts all round?

With a performance like that, it’s easy to forget that the two weakest positions we have / had were unchanged after our winter spending spree.

With Bruno and Burn both on the bench, we were still playing with the same centre back pairing and midfield three. However, I think the arrival of competition and what most (all?) fans would agree that they are far superior to what we had, seem to have raised the game of those already here.

Lascelles has been much maligned throughout the season (with good cause) but this was one of his better matches. Realistically there was nothing he could do about the own goal, Schar’s goal line clearance cannoning into his chest from two yards and he made up for it immediately by forcing an own goal at the other end. For the rest of the match he used his pace and physicality to close chances and stop the insipid Everton front line from getting even a sniff at goal.

Shelvey too, ran more than I’d seen him do in a long time. Knowing there’s a better player than you waiting to take your place does wonders for the on the pitch performance as it turns out. Don’t get me wrong, I expect Bruno + Burn to start as soon as they’re able, but it’s good to see the boost their mere presences have created.

Bruno Cameo

We only got him for five minutes but what a five minutes we saw.

Classy on the ball, laying ASM off straight away, and making mugs of the hapless Evertonians trying to press. If that was all in five minutes I can’t wait to see 90.

Bruno got a great welcome and if he can start against Villa I think we have every chance of a third win in a row.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 3 Everton 1 – Tuesday 8 February 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Holgate (37 OG), Fraser (56), Trippier (80)

Everton:

Lascelles (36 OG)

Possession was Newcastle 39% Everton 61

Total shots were Newcastle 20 Everton 11

Shots on target were Newcastle 9 Everton 3

Corners were Newcastle 6 Everton 2

Crowd: 52,186 (3,000 Everton)

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Trippier (Manquillo 90+1), Lascelles, Schar, Targett, Shelvey, Willock (Bruno 90+1), Fraser (Murphy 82), Joelinton, Saint-Maximin, Wood

Unused Subs:

Darlow, Krafth, Almiron, Gayle, Burn, Longstaff

(Newcastle 3 Everton 1 – NUFC fan / writer reaction to this massive victory – Read HERE)

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