Prince Rupert's Tower
Fansided

Must win match as Everton host Magpies

By Matt Townsend

Everton's Colombian defender Yerry Mina (L) vies with Newcastle United's Scottish midfielder Ryan Fraser (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Alex Pantling / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's Colombian defender Yerry Mina (L) vies with Newcastle United's Scottish midfielder Ryan Fraser (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Alex Pantling / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Following the 1-1 draw against Leicester City last night Everton have another match almost straight away and they are at home again as they take on a struggling Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime.

After dropping two points against Leicester Everton really need to win this match and put themselves right back in the mix for the top four.

Although this is a strange and topsy-turvy season with a lot of teams bunched up closely together and no one yet able to pull away, the Toffees don’t want to fall too far behind even at this still relatively early stage of the season.

Fortunately many of the sides Everton are chasing also failed to pick up all the points this Wednesday too. The leaders at the time Manchester United lost unexpectedly at home to bottom club Sheffield United pegging them back and Chelsea drew 0-0, while Leicester of course took a point home instead of three from Goodison Park.

If Spurs can beat Liverpool tonight (fingers crossed!) the Blues will leapfrog their neighbours at the weekend – if they can claim all the points against the Magpies.

On paper this should be a match Everton can comfortably win. However, we know that the Toffees have a nasty habit over the years of dropping points in these supposedly shoe-in games.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

One bonus is that the Blues will have Abdoulaye Doucoure back after his suspension. The energetic and all-action Frenchman was missed against Leicester and having his bite and commitment again in midfield will be welcome.

Apart from Doucoure’s return, I’d be tempted to stick with a similar team to the one Ancelotti used against Leicester City.

Newcastle don’t represent the same attacking threat and so he may decide to put Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman at full-back. That would make sense, although it’s harsh on Ben Godfrey in particular who’s not put a foot wrong at left-back.

One change I’d make is not going to surprise many and that is replacing Jordan Pickford with Robin Olsen in goal. The England keepers’ error was so costly on Wednesday and Olsen has been very solid and reliable whenever he’s played so I think it’s time to give him a run in the side between the sticks.

If Ancelotti does pick something like the same side, he will probably move Richarlison back to the left and play Alex Iwobi on the right, if he’s fully fit. However, I’d think about maybe dropping Richarlison if he decides to stick with the same back four and Digne stays in midfield.

I know the Brazilian is capable of winning a match at his best but he’s not looking half the player he was last season and maybe being dropped might just force him to dig deeper for his best form.

Saturday’s opponents have had a tough time recently following a decent start to the season and the pressure is building on manager Steve Bruce.

The ex-Manchester United defender has been criticised for his overly defensive and negative tactics and the Magpies are on a terrible run having lost their last six matches in all competitions.

Newcastle’s biggest problem is scoring goals. They’ve only managed three in their last eleven matches, which includes nine defeats and two draws against Fulham and surprisingly, Liverpool.

Having said all that they beat Everton earlier in the season and it would be just typical if they found another solid performance against the Blues after being on such a bad run.

Next. Did Wednesday's draw show Everton lack options. dark

This is though a game the Blues really should and must win at the weekend. They need a ruthless performance and three points to keep themselves in that mix for the European places.