A frustrating end to what was very nearly a precious 1-0 win at St James’ Park, as missed chances and Paul Dummett’s moment of madness gifted Everton a late penalty and a share of the spoils.
Alexander Isak took his tally to 15 for the season with a classy finish in a first half we controlled, Dan Burn had one chalked off by VAR and we had chances to make sure of the victory, but it’s two points dropped in our quest for Europe against a pretty toothless Toffees side.
It’s a chance missed to move back up to seventh on a night where West Ham drew at home to Spurs, although it feels typical of our season that we went into the match carrying knocks and missing several key men, with fatigue also a factor as so many who gave their all to beat West Ham had to go again tonight. In a way, it felt like the tale of our season that we’ve not quite been able to build on the momentum gained from Saturday.
It kicked off with 12 senior players missing in Trippier, Botman, Lascelles, Joelinton, Tonali, Wilson, Gordon, Targett, Livramento, Pope, Almiron and Miley. That meant four changes from Saturday as Emil Krafth, Lewis Hall, Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes replaced Lascelles, Livramento, Willock (bench) and Gordon, who was out through suspension against his former club.
We made a fast start and almost took the lead just a few minutes in, only for Pickford to parry Barnes’ effort. Tarkowski should’ve opened the scoring soon after with a huge chance at the back post, but it was that man Alexander Isak who broke the deadlock. Barnes’ lobbed ball in behind was clever and Isak capitalised, gliding past two Everton defenders before sliding into the far corner beyond Pickford’s little arms.
It was a strong first half display. Hall added some zip to our play at left-back, Anderson was aggressive and always finding space, the front three looked lively and there was a noticeable change about our approach. We kept the ball better – perhaps confidence had grown from Saturday’s big win – and we were patient in building attacks. A smart move considering the tired legs and number of injuries, giving us control of the match and little opportunity for Everton to catch us on the counter.
They were poor at both ends and there for the taking. The only slight frustration was our failure to make it two, as Isak and Murphy both fired marginally over from the edge of the box before the latter had a goal-bound volley blocked after latching onto Longstaff’s glancing header.
Our left side was the big positive. Barnes’ assist for the ice cool Isak, Hall was sharp on the ball and surprisingly strong in the air, with Anderson arguably the player of the half. He added physicality, ingenuity and aggression to our midfield, picking up pockets of space, a lovely pass in behind for Isak and offering plenty of fight in the other direction.
I expected Everton to be better in the second half, but we came out the blocks slowly. Too many sloppy giveaways gave them encouragement, yet it was us who nearly made it 2-0 as a corner deflected onto Pickford’s far post. We thought we had doubled our advantage moments later as a quick free kick saw Isak find Burn for a tap in, but VAR had other ideas as replays showed the Swede was marginally offside.
Everton made a triple change and one of them almost made an instant impact as Garner hit the side of the post. At the other end, some great work from Barnes ended in a big chance for Isak, only for his close range effort to be blocked on the line by Branthwaite before Barnes fired over from Krafth’s cross soon after.
Schar made a huge tackle to deny Mykolenko from matching onto Calvert-Lewin’s knockdown and Burn also stepped up with some vital tackles and headers in the box to clear the danger. We didn’t have the same level of control we’d enjoyed in the first half and it was clear we were tiring, with limited options on the bench to change the game.
Joe Willock replaced Anderson, who was running out of gas after his first league start since returning from a back injury and a fatigued Hall was replaced by Dummett. Ironic cheers followed, yet it would be the Geordie defender who’d cost us.
Everton were pushing for an equaliser with just over five minutes remaining and we handed them their chance to draw level, as VAR instructed the referee to go to the monitor after Dummett brought down Young in the box. A moment of madness from our forgotten man and Calvert-Lewin stepped up and scored his first in 24 games. It wasn’t convincing as Dubravka got a hand to it, but it drew Everton level in a game we should have put to bed against a pretty toothless Toffees side who’d scored just eight in their previous 12 games.
Nine minutes of added time were signalled but there was no late heroics this time, just a late gift that felt like two points dropped. On another night, we’d win that 2-0 and praise the lads for a big effort in light of all our injuries. We just ran out of steam, missed our chances to double our lead and made a costly mistake when minutes away from a 1-0 win.
Next up, a trip to Fulham on Saturday before Tottenham come to Tyneside next weekend.
NUFC XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Hall, Bruno, Longstaff, Anderson, Murphy, Barnes, Isak.
SUBS: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Ritchie, Willock, White, Diallo, A.Murphy, Parkinson
Pathetic from Dummett, cost us the three points which was a real shame from a generally good performance – but just a reminder to those fans who think we actually had options off the bench for most of the season.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – we did mate. Just coz Dummett made one mistake doesn’t change that – and the mistake was probably made coz that’s one of the few times he’s actually been used this season – he’s rusty as hell.
I’m pretty sure he got 1 other run out in a cup game earlier in the season & was solid.
I don’t disagree it was a rash & stupid challenge – but I actually think we were poor in the final third again tonight. That penalty should have been nothing more than a consolation goal.
Really disappointing result.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I said on the last article I thought we had 10-12 pts still to pick up but I missed a game – it could be as many as 15 looking at it again – though my original prediction is probably more likely.
That would see us finish around the 55pts mark – having got 71pts last season.
I’m not having the CL schedule coz it has resulted in us playing 4 more games than last season. But I will take into account the injuries – and perhaps more importantly, just how much we overachieved last season.
But 55pts would see an improvement of only 6pts from the season before that one – when Howe only had from mid Nov, and didn’t actually get the lads playing til the January – so half a season.
We finished 11th that season – last season Brentford finished 9th with 59 and Fulham 10th with 52 – so if we get 55 this season it will be a similar league position.
So to my point .. would that be good enough??. Would that be seen as improvement?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Dummett is past it, one solid cup performance at CB doesn’t change that, he was always better there than left back but if he doesn’t have the versatility anymore and he doesn’t have the sense to keep his cool for ten minutes then there is no point keeping him. As a seasoned pro he is meant to be reliable in these kind situations with ten minutes to go – nobody is expecting him to score a Schar screamer or even do anything other than not throw the game away. If he can’t do that then there is no point keeping him. I agree though we should have made it two and when it didn’t go in for us you just knew we were going to gift them a way back in.
Newkie(Quote)
I thought the ref was very poor again last night. Everton were given a free kick when one of their players tripped himself up. If it had lead to a goal I’d have been fuming. We got nowt from him all match. They fouled all the time but no cards forthcoming until right near the end. Even their penalty was missed when it was pretty clear, before var intervened.
However we were really off it. That penalty should’ve been merely a consolation as Sharpy said. Credit where due though, little arms had a good match as was given MotM by the commentators.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Newkie – Dummett is 32 mate, so certainly nearing the end of his career – but passed it is a bit harsh mate.
I know it was only 10 mins mate, but they had a few dangerous attacks prior to that & our defence was looking pretty vulnerable – they hit the post shortly before.
Murphy was on the bench & was the other option – honestly, yes I’d prefer to give the youngsters a run out and look to give him game time, to build for the future.
If it had been 2-0 and we had a bit of a cushion going into the last 10 mins, maybe he might have done that. But I suspect his decision was to put the experienced of the 2 into an already makeshift back 4.
Dummett had a brain fart moment, but I don’t think it was all down to that one moment.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gilly – yeah Pickford made so good saves, and would have been getting hammered by the fans I dare bet.
Barnes showed he has a lot of quality – but I could see how our attack missed Gordon last night – obviously.
But Murphy played a number of balls across the box & im thinking why is nobody on the end of that man?!. Because Barnes wasn’t making the runs that Gordon would have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would be letting Dummett go at the end of the season obviously, and with his injury it seems like the Lascelles contract extension seems a mistake also. It was questionable before the injury to be fair with him nearly going to Turkey in the last 2 windows.
If the club had any sense they would be getting Lloyd Kelly from Bmth & Tosin from Fulham – both available on a free & both would provide greater depth in the defensive department imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
You could hear the boos and every time Pickford touched the ball, sadly it only seemed to inspire him this time, not much to pick from but couldn’t argue against him at MOTM. That being said we missed some absolute sitters, and a few times shot when there was a much better option – fine if we’re 2 or 3 up but not at just one.
Sharpy – maybe you’re right, I’ve calmed down a bit and the hangover is gone, but he’s 32 and he’s played a handful of games in the last three years. We don’t seem to want to play him so at this point why bother keeping him? With all the injuries we have we don’t really have a choice but really it just feels like a waste of a spot in the squad.
Completely agree we missed Gordon, on both ends of the pitch. You could see the onus was on Barnes to create something but he’s not the same kind of player, thought him and Anderson did well but we need those two to link up with Bruno and Isak to get some moves going, Barnes is never going to have a full back in his back pocket the same way Gordon can. So frustrating we couldn’t get the win, a makeshift team that actually played some good stuff in the first half but the lack of bottle and ability to see out the game makes me think we don’t have enough left in the tank to get any European football. Then again if we lose any more players that might be a blessing.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – I was against the idea of the old guard getting contract extensions mate – particularly players like Dummett & Ritchie who have had next to no game time since Howe came in (and not much more prior to that to be fair).
The suggestion was that they got their contracts as much for their presence in and around the training ground – they were good lads to have in the squad. I think Ritchie was a bit of a mentor to Gordon last season too.
But both were kept on as playing staff rather than support or coaching staff and as they were, I think Howe should have used them more this season – if nothing more than to give a games rest to those who might have needed the rest.
I’m pretty sure both are on more, but if each of them are on £30k a week – that’s £3m in wages a year that is going on a pair of bantz boys!! 😳 that’s mad when you consider we are struggling to negotiate a new contract for Joelinton or be able to afford a loan signing in Jan.
Throw contract extensions for the likes of Lascelles & Krafth & the money wasted on Tonali & Hall so far – hence I’m less worried than some about Ashworth leaving.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – yeah i’m the same mate, keeping Ritchie is funny because of the song and at least I was at SJP to see him score but that’s it, would have made sense had he come on regularly for 15 minutes but if Howe isn’t going to bother then why keep them. I’m sure they are both good lads, and at least they’re “only” on 30k and not like Smudger who was also a good lad but on double that! Still though, I know we can only change so much in a short time but keeping those two baffles me and shows how bad our youth set up still is from years of neglect, any of the top sides would just have a youngster who could fulfil the same role of sitting on the bench the whole season and making 2/3 appearances.
Also agree on Ashworth – some very suspect summer business, though tbf pre injury I was happy keeping Lascelles, I think he’s handled his transition from starter to bench captain really well but unlike the other two I think he could do a job for a few more years. The injury will probably change that and if we sign any more centre backs which we have to, there won’t really be a place for him.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – wasn’t it Ritchie or Dummett who had a dust up with Brucey on the training ground?.
For that reason alone they earned a new contract 😂.
I agree re trying to change things too quickly, but as and when contracts expire for ageing players like Ritchie & Dummett – who have played such little football for the club anyway – they should have been moved on.
https://www.spotrac.com/epl/newcastle-united-fc/
According to this Ritchie is on £45k and Dummett £35k – but Krafth on £50k (wow) Miggy £60k and Tonali blagging £120k 😡 – there should be grounds to only pay half that and be grateful.
But looking at Joelinton who is on decent wages now & wanting probably another £50k a week to bring him up with the likes of Isak & Tonali – or more if he wants closer to Bruno.
The likes of Gordon on £60k – he could ask double that easily. So there’s another £6m on wages for 2 players already in our ranks before another player walks through the door.
I think it’s important fans realise this when they think all this money is coming from Adidas and other sponsors.
It’s also why I think the club may be fine with moving Bruno on.
With him costing £40m and could be sold for £100m (at least) – that’s better profit that selling Isak.
But it also clears £160k wages – and a substantial amount more than the next highest paid players.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorry mate, just quickly on Lascelles, I agree with what you say about him – my only reason for being surprised about the extension was coz the last 2 windows he’s been close to a move to Turkey & seemed to want away.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://youtu.be/l9LeDmpxqBo?si=2bSiI9B87GvefOoE
Love this!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can’t decide if last nights result was the best outcome for us?!.
A Man Utd win wouldn’t have been – they would have pulled further away … but a Chelsea win has pulled them closer to us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think the best result would’ve been a draw with both teams losing points, however, second best is what happened. Keeps Man united in touching distance and Chelsea still behind, albeit with a game in hand. We need to look up and try for that 6th spot if we can.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – last night was a prime example on how VAR doesn’t work.
The ref awarded the last minute penalty but was so unsure of his decision – he put the whistle to his lips & thought ‘do I blow’ – then blew and thought ‘do I point to the spot’. He didn’t seem convinced it was a penalty at all … but then neither were VAR who looked at it so many times but deciding meh, it’s his call 🤷🏼♂️.
The reason they were undecided was coz it wasn’t a penalty!!. Yes Dalot stumbled but the side footage showed he made little to no contact with the Chelsea player who grounded both feet after the contact & there was clear space between the 2 when he went down – that’s what VAR so and that’s why they took so long – it was a mistake to give it – but the letter of the law says they can only overruled if it’s a ‘clear & obvious’ mistake – VAR weren’t sure it was clear & obvious.
So why not send him to the monitor?!?!!
Better still – why can’t a ref – who appeared unsure of his decision not be allowed to ASK to go look at it on the monitor.
Here’s my thing – if that game was at Old Trafford, that penalty isn’t given.
The uncertain ref gave it coz Stamford Bridge roared for it & VAR protected their mate.
Don’t get me wrong, the game was very fast paced last night and that was a difficult call to make – I immediately thought it was a pen in real time. The ref who would have had a far better view than mine wasn’t sure but gave it.
If that was rugby, the ref would immediately go to the VAR equivalent and ask for clarification – so he’d either wave it away, point to the spot or make the TV sign – he is NOT surrounded by players trying to influence his decision.
It will be overshadowed by the late winner by Cole Palmer – who is an outstanding player!!. Why City let him go is beyond me. But it was a key decision in the game & had a huge bearing on the game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I took a lot of hope for just how poor both teams were last night.
Obviously coz it’s Man Utd & Chelsea the pundits played it up to be a great advert for the PL. If that was Everton v Palace for example then both teams would lack quality & it would be Championship form 🤷🏼♂️.
Both have spent hundreds of millions on those squad and other than maybe 2 or 3 players or true quality the rest were awful!!.
Man Utd lost another 2 CBs last night so maybe they are catchable – proved WE can keep what’s left of our squad fit & hopefully get a couple back in the next few weeks 🤞🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I didn’t see the last two Chelsea goals. I switch off to watch the news so was surprised when I saw they had won, and even more surprised that it had been in extra, extra time over and above the 8 mins supposed to be added. I guess that was for the VAR check. Both teams are poor, especially considering what they’ve spent. And even more surprising that they have not yet been sanctioned by the FA. I guess those suitcases of cash for the FA have helped after all.
Gilly Toon(Quote)