Premier League: Everton Out to Win and Prove a Point

Newcastle United vs Everton

If you had told most people that Everton would be the Premier League leaders going into the final weekend of October, few football fans would have agreed with you.

While it was clear to many knowledgeable observers that the blue half of Merseyside had enjoyed a fruitful transfer window, they weren’t necessarily expected to set the early pace – let alone maintain it for the first six weeks of the season.

That they have speaks volumes for Carlo Ancelotti’s managerial abilities.

While Everton are not realistic title contenders less than a year after the wily Italian arrived as boss, many believe that with a run free of injuries the Toffees could be well placed to seal a European berth in this congested campaign.

Talking Points

Of course when you are up at the top, you are there to be shot at and there can be a degree of resentment.

That has never been clearer since their high-tempo, hard fought draw with city rivals and reigning league champions Liverpool a fortnight ago.

Premier League: Newcastle United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to step-up his game when they face Newcastle United — Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Everton against Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk

Indeed the tide has now turned on Everton with some Liverpool players — as well as a number of pundits — publicly accusing their rivals of being too physical bordering on dangerous when actually the worst Everton have done is be too reckless.

The witch hunt that has followed from certain quarters has been as unfair as it has been relentless, and to some seemed to have influenced the decision to send off Lucas Digne in their defeat at Southampton last weekend.

As a result, he will miss the trip to Tyneside this weekend through suspension so as Brazil international Richarlison.

They will also be without right-back and captain Seamus Coleman, centre-back Mason Holgate, and Ivory Coast international Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

Meanwhile, potentially most crucially of all, new favourite James Rodriguez remains a doubt alongside right-back Jonjoe Kenny and young centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

The absence of Rodriguez would be good news for Newcastle United who bounced back from a 4-1 home humbling by Manchester United to rescue a late draw at Wolves last weekend.

Newcastle have a few injury concerns of their own with Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, winger Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey, and striker Dwight Gayle all out, while Jamaal Lascelles is a doubt with a foot injury.

Like Ancelotti, they have also made progress under manager Steve Bruce, proving wrong those who doubted his ability to replace fans’ favourite, Rafa Benitez.

The addition of players like Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser has also improved their attack and, although top, it must be remembered Everton have conceded only one less than Newcastle so far this season.

I expect plenty of Premier League highlights and the Premier League betting odds point to goals for both sides.

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History

Newcastle have won 66 of the meetings between these two famous football institutions, Everton have enjoyed 74 triumphs and there have been a further 36 draws.

That included their most recent meeting in January when even Bruce was at pains to work out how his side had earned a point after being second best until stoppage time.

On that occasion, Moise Kean and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the Toffees in front going into the 90^th minute. Then, amazingly, Florian Lejeune netted twice in the 94th and 95th minutes to stun Goodison Park and themselves to a degree.

Everton had won at St James’ Park less than a month earlier when Calvert-Lewin netted a double in a 2-1 win.

Newcastle have only won two of their last 15 clashes.

Both came at St James’ Park, with the first happening two seasons ago when the Toon ran out 3-2 victors courtesy of a fine comeback – sealed through two Ayoze Perez goals in the final nine minutes.

The other was in 2014 and it was another 3-2 triumph as Papiss Cisse, Perez, and Jack Colback ultimately rendered goals from Arouna Kone and Kevin Mirallas meaningless.