‘Struggling’ Newcastle strikers look ‘awful’ in drab first half vs Everton

Former England striker Dean Ashton urged Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle to reconsider his approach as the Magpies and Everton produced a forgettable first half in the Premier League at St James’ Park on Monday – with the home fans booing their players at the interval.

Neither goalkeeper was sternly tested before the break, with Ashton savaging Newcastle’s forward line and claiming William Osula and Joe Willock were “making life easy” for visiting centre-backs Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski.

“It’s making me laugh a bit watching Osula and Willock,” said Ashton, who was also astonished to watch Harrison Armstrong screw a presentable chance wide when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall located the midfielder in space inside the box on the stroke of half-time.

“When the ball is whacked high, they almost look at the ball asking ‘do you fancy going up against these two?’

“Jaissle has to realise that. I can’t imagine Jaissle just wants the team to whack the ball forward. I’m looking at Nico Gonzalez and he’s gesturing with his hands as if he wants his team to play.”

Newcastle vs Everton: ‘Not much quality’

Asthon called the restored Anthony Elanga “awful”, said Osula had “not been in the game” and added that Willock had “not really got hold of the ball” for Newcastle.

“They’ve really, really struggled to have confidence in their play, making too many really simple errors,” Ashton told TalkSport.

“They’ve been pretty awful, actually, in an attacking sense. Harvey Barnes has been the only one who’s looked like he’s got a bit of quality and confidence.

“There’s not been much quality, which means it’s actually been enjoyable because you haven’t got a clue which team is going to have possession next.”

A reward of seventh spot in the table is on offer, should either side win the final contest of Matchweek 10.

Newcastle team vs Everton

Newcastle made two changes from their EFL Cup exit at Everton four days earlier, bringing in winger Elanga and midfielder Joelinton.

Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy moved to the bench.

Newcastle: Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Nico Gonzalez, Joelinton, Anthony Elanga, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, William Osula

Substitutes: Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Aladji Bamba, Yoane Wissa, Malick Thiaw, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure, Jacob Murphy, Jacob Ramsey

Everton team vs Newcastle

Defender Branthwaite returned for Everton after missing two games through concussion but there was still no place in the squad for on-loan Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish, who missed Thursday’s match because of a breach of club discipline and was described by the club as “not match-fit” this time.

Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling switched to the bench.

Everton: Jordan Pickford, Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaliy Mykolenko, James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Rohl, Tyrique George, Thierno Barry

Substitutes: Mark Travers, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Tyler Dibling, Michael Keane, Brennan Johnson, Christian Norgaard, Carlos Alcaraz, Hayden Hackney, Braiden Graham

Where to watch Newcastle vs Everton: TV channel, live online stream

Kick-off on Monday was at 20:00 GMT (16:00 ET / 13:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.

Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £27.99 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.

Here’s the full list of Premier League international broadcasters.

Newcastle vs Everton Premier League stats

• The Magpies have won one of their last six Premier League matches against Everton (D2 L3), having prevailed in five of their previous six against the Toffees (L1)
• They have lost 21 of their last 32 Premier League matches on Mondays (W7 D4), including both Monday night games this season against Leeds and Coventry, succumbing 4-1 in both games
• Across the first eight Premier League matchdays this season, Newcastle United faced the most shots (138) and only three teams faced more xG (13.7)
• Harvey Barnes has been involved in seven goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances for Newcastle (4 goals, 3 assists), including five in his last six at St James’ Park (2 goals, 3 assists). His next appearance will be his 100th in the Premier League for the club
• Newcastle and Premier League all-time top scorer Alan Shearer is the only other player to have reached double figures (10) in the fixture aside from Everton legend Dixie Dean, who is the 20-goal top scorer in the history of the fixture, with Newcastle’s Hughie Gallacher second (11)
• Everton have won their last two away league games against Newcastle. This is their 91st visit and could be the first time they have won three visits in a row
• They could lose three straight league games for the first time since January 2025 and the first time under David Moyes since October 2011.
• Since a 3-2 win at Newcastle in February, Everton are winless in all nine away Premier League matches (D5 L4), which is their worst run since going 14 without a win between December 2023 and September 2024
• When conceding the opening goal (D7 L13), Everton have won one of their last 21 Premier League matches and are without a victory in their last 12 (D5 L7)
• As well as winning the most duels in the Premier League this season (63), Everton central defender James Tarkowski has the best duel success of any of the 280 players to contest 20 or more (78%)
• Since Tarkowski’s first Premier League start in April 2017, he leads all players for duels won (2,296), aerial duels won (1,398) and shots blocked (491)

Full updated Premier League table

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