Match Review - Everton 0 Newcastle 2 - Just Everton isn't it?

This game had "must win" written all over it. Newcastle came into this game on a really bad run of form and the pre-game stats did not make for pretty reading for them. They were on the longest run without a win of any team in the league (9 games) and their run of 5 consecutive defeats was also the current longest. They had also lost their last 5 Premier League away games, failing to score in any of the last 4.

Conversely, Everton came into this game having lost just 1 of our last 8 league games and with a very good record against Newcastle - particularly at Goodison Park, were we have lost only 1 of the last 16 games against the Magpies.

Whilst we were not at our best against Leicester on Wednesday and probably didn't deserve to win the game, I felt at the time - and still feel - that if it hadn't been for Pickford's catalogue of errors that led to the Leicester equaliser we would have picked up all 3 points.

The fact that we didn't win the game put even more emphasis on the fact that nothing but a win against Newcastle today would be good enough if we were to keep pace with the group of teams around us chasing a Champions League place.

A win today would have lifted us, at least temporarily, above West Ham into 5th place in the table and onto 36 points at our half way stage of the season - putting the pressure back on the others, particularly given we have games in hand on most.

The importance of the game was reflected in the manager's team selection, with the more attacking Digne and Coleman replacing Godfrey and Holgate at full back, and Abdoulaye Doucoure the only midfielder with a defensive bone in his body. I was happy with these changes and believed it signalled the intent of the team to go on the offensive, as well as giving Holgate and Godfrey a well deserved rest.

The early stages of the game were played out at a frantic pace. I felt we had a good tempo to our play, aided by the high press. Newcastle were set up with a narrow 4 in midfield which I found rather odd given most of our creative play tends to come from the wide areas. What it meant was that we were able to get a lot of joy down the flanks with Digne and Richarlison involved a lot on the left.

Disappointingly though, after a bright 15 or so minutes we seemed to take the foot off the gas a little (as is often the case with Everton) and allowed Newcastle to grow in confidence. It was annoying really because I think had we got in early goal in this game we could have bagged a hatful given the run Newcastle had been on prior to this game.

We'd lost control of the midfield and let Newcastle on to us. This poor period of play from Everton resulted in Newcastle having the best chance of the half - a Callum Wilson header from a corner which Pickford saved well.

We did fashion out a couple of chances before the end of the half - James Rodriguez with the best of them - but in all honesty the first half was so frustrating to watch. We should have been able to impose ourselves on this Newcastle side on the worst run of form in the league, but we were not able to mount any sustained pressure on their goal, nor create any real clear cut opportunities. It seems to be an issue with this team of late that we struggle to play on the front foot when required and are much more comfortable with our backs against the wall.

From the off in the second half I think it was clear words had been said at half time as the team did come out with more purpose - albeit we could have easily been 1-0 down not long into the half when Callum Wilson again spurned a glorious opportunity in front of goal dragging his shot wide.

Again though, that purpose was not maintained. We just don't seem to be capable of going for the throat in these types of games with the conviction that some of our rivals do. After around 15 minutes of the half Newcastle grew into the game once more through a combination of lack of intensity and sloppy passing on our part.

This was clearly evident to Carlo Ancelotti as he chose to change the shape of the team with his first substitution - Gomes for Iwobi - presumably with a view to getting a better grip of the midfield and regaining control of the game.

The substitution made little difference and just over 10 minutes later Newcastle were in front. It was third time lucky for Wilson who was afforded another free header from a corner and this time made no mistake. It was a fantastic headed goal from Wilson but the defending from our point of view was atrocious, especially given the chance he had already missed from the corner in the first half.

Then it was up to us to force the issue, and as you've probably already gathered from the rest of this piece, we were not able to create a thing. We probably could have played on until tomorrow and not scored in this game. This game again highlighted what we already know which is that we have such a dire lack of quality on our bench to change a game when it isn't going our way. I had hoped that the club would look to dip into the transfer market this month with a view to addressing this issue but this now does not look likely.

To add insult to injury, Newcastle and Wilson added a second on the counter attack in injury time, securing a league double for them over us for the first time in almost 20 years and subjecting Everton to another defeat at home - our 4th of the season so far.

The home form is becoming somewhat of an issue this season, which is most unusual as ordinarily we are strong at home and struggle away. This will be something the manager is undoubtedly aware of and will need to address quickly if we are to have any chance of European qualification come May.

I expect that for the next 2 games against Leeds and Man Utd we will revert back to the more defensive tactics which has served us well since December, and this will likely suit us better. It's hard to put your finger on why we struggle so much when the onus is on us to attack. Those first few games of the season where we saw free-flowing attacking football are now just a distant memory.

This result is a bitter blow, there is no doubt about that - but we must try not to get to down about it. We are still well in the mix for Europe which is exactly where we want to be and there is a whole half of a season still to come. If we are to keep pace though we must get back somewhere close to our usual form at Goodison Park, as I fear a European push with such poor home form is unfortunately unsustainable.

Player Ratings

Pickford - 7 - some good saves at 0-0, particularly from Wilson in the first half, could do nothing for the goal

Digne - 6 - tried to get forward as much as he could but not as accurate with his crossing as usual

Coleman - 5 - not really involved offensively which is why he was brought back in

Keane - 6 - did what he had to do relatively well, would have like to have seen more from him with his forwarding passing

Mina - 6 - defended ok when he had to

Doucoure - 6 - position in the first half restricted him but didn't get involved when allowed more freedom

Sigurdsson - 4 - really poor and offered nothing

Rodriguez - 7 - huffed and puffed and was the most likely creator of a chance for us, kicked off the park by the Newcastle midfield

Iwobi - 6 - love his energy and drive but lacked the quality today

Richarlison - 5 - needs to be taken out the team now in my view, just not himself

Calvert-Lewin - 6 - good hold up play as expected but fed off scraps

Gomes - 5 - thought he was poor, particularly in possession when he came on