We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 2 Everton 3.
That was a poor, poor performance from Newcastle. We were deservedly beaten by an Everton side that defended well and attacked sharply, occasionally.
I don’t know what was wrong with the team in the first half. Maybe they were distracted by Champions League success, maybe they were fatigued, maybe they assumed Everton would be a pushover, but for the most part, they were flat and predictable. I knew what they were going to do ninety-odd percent of the time before they did it, and if I knew, I’m sure a well-drilled team like Everton did too.
The worst thing you can do against a defensive-minded side like Everton is let them go a goal up, but we did, when we failed to defend a corner. We somehow hauled ourselves back into things, then conceded again immediately afterwards. It was another defensive error.
We were better in the second half, especially after the introduction of Murphy and Barnes, but Everton won every header, blocked every shot, and repeatedly crowded us out.
Yet we got ourselves level, a second time, only to concede immediately afterwards once again via another defensive horror show.
Too many Newcastle players were not at it in this game, and on this form, we are nowhere near qualifying for any of the European competitions. The record shows that we have won one and lost five of our last six Premier League games, and that is relegation form. Man United will be licking their lips.
Nick Pope 5
Dropped an absolute clanger for Everton’s second goal and was static for the other two. Not his day.
Kieran Trippier 6
I thought he was decent, he was certainly more combative than many and displayed more urgency than some of his team mates.
Malick Thiaw 5
Struggled. Was dispossessed a couple of times and outmuscled a couple more.
Dan Burn 5
Much the same as Thiaw. Wasn’t comfortable when Everton attacked and looked frustrated.
Lewis Hall 7
One of our better performers.
Caught out for Everton’s third goal and put one or two desperate tackles in.
But at least he tried to get things going down the left.
Sandro Tonali 7
Took responsibility – tried to get on the ball as much as he could, and used it better than most.
Hit an absolute rocket of a shot that looked like it was going to restore parity but Pickford managed to tip it onto the bar.
Other than that, his best efforts went unrewarded.
Jacob Ramsey 7
Our best player in the first half, although there were very few candidates.
Got about the pitch and seldom lost possession or hit a poor pass.
Came out for the second half, looked like he was about to vomit, so was hastily replaced. Shame.
Joelinton 6
The referee didn’t like Joelinton from the start, so gave a foul every time our man went near an Everton player. They, of course, hit the deck when he did, and the ref fell for it every time.
When Joe had the ball, he looked pretty good, but he got frustrated and we didn’t see the best of him.
Anthony Elanga 4
There is a lot of goodwill towards Elanga on Tyneside but this was another underwhelming display.
Seemed reluctant to take his man on and didn’t get any decent crosses in.
Nick Woltemade 4
There is a player in Woltemade but we haven’t found it consistently.
He’s had a couple of decent games recently but this was one of his worst.
As soon as he received the ball – in his new midfieldish role – Everton players swarmed around him and took it off him.
An ineffective showing.
Anthony Gordon 6
People around me were giving AG pelters and he wasn’t at his absolute best.
He was also responsible for the Everton turnover that led to their third goal.
But he was moved from pillar to post – centre forward, left wing, right wing, and in my opinion did OK,
SUBS
Joe Willock 5
Subbed on for the stricken Ramsey and was a mixture of good and bad.
Carried the ball well, I thought, but he held on to the ball too long (not entirely his fault) and some of his passing was poor (in common with just about all of his team mates).
Jacob Murphy 7
Scored a nice goal and played with more purpose than Elanga.
Ended up at right back again but still got forward to try and affect things.
Harvey Barnes 7
Made a difference when he came on.
Drove at the Everton defence time and again and seems to have developed a good understanding with Lewis Hall.
We looked more threatening with him on the pitch.
Yoane Wissa 5
Made no impact on the game when coming off the bench.
With Everton defending so deep and in numbers, he got very little service.
William Osula N/A (Not on long enough to rate)
Only on for the last knockings.