Everton to bounce back against Magpies

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates after scoring his team's winning goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on December 28, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates after scoring his team's winning goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on December 28, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The games keep coming thick and fast again as Everton face Newcastle United tomorrow night, just a few weeks after the Blues won at St James Park in Carlo Ancelotti’s second match in charge.

So the question is can Ancelotti’s troops repeat the feat at Goodison Park and ensure Everton secure another crucial three points?

Given that the Toffees are back at the grand old lady where they usually have a very good record, and are playing an average Magpie’s team, then it would seem the answer should be yes.

However the Blues were far from convincing on Saturday as they laboured to a 1-1 draw at West Ham without ever looking likely to win the game. It was a very poor performance from Everton.

Many of the players looked very tired against West Ham and their fitness or lack of it, continues to be a considerable concern and an area that Ancelotti needs to work on improving.

And indeed opponents Newcastle United have done better this season than many pundits expected when Rafa Benitez left the club in acrimonious circumstances last summer.

There was little expectation that his successor, Steve Bruce would be able to sustain, let alone improve the sides performances. But he and the team have surprised a lot of those critics with some notable wins this season including against Spurs and Manchester United at home.

The Magpies won again at St James Park at the weekend, beating Chelsea 1-0 to lift them up to 12th. They are just one place behind Everton, actually with the same points total, and only below the Toffees on goal difference.

Newcastle have, like Everton, had a very inconsistent season as might have been expected given their squad’s limitations. They don’t keep the ball very well and struggle to score many goals, although, apart from the better sides, they also generally don’t concede too many either.

So with the home team hardly being a prolific side in attack themselves, then in all likelihood goals will probably be a premium in this one.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

At the moment there is no further news on the players who missed the trip to the London Stadium. In particular, Ancelotti will be sweating on the fitness of Brazilian Richarlison, who he will be hoping has recovered from his knee injury to feature.

I would imagine that Newcastle will not be too adventurous and will set up to try to get a point, which would represent a good result for them. That also fits in with Steve Bruce’s general approach.

If that’s the case then Everton will need to find a lot more craft and creativity to break them down than they showed at West Ham.

On the evidence of last weekend’s match, that’s a tall order to be honest. However let’s hope that the Blues will be more inspired playing at home again and can play with the energy to find a way to secure a win that will lift them back into the top half of the Premier League table at last.