Jake O'Brien looking annoyed towards a circle inset of the Newcastle United badge
Credit: Imago
Max Wilkins
Sun 30 November 2025 11:10, UK
Jake O’Brien struggled on a disappointing evening for Everton against Newcastle United.
Newcastle secured a 3-0 victory over Everton after what was a hugely frustrating outing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes can’t have liked what he saw from his side, even after being seemingly pleased when Idrissa Gueye was sent off against Manchester United.
The Magpies were clinical on the night despite Newcastle facing weather concerns on their journey to Merseyside before kick-off.
The Toffees saw their defence ripped open on multiple occasions, with O’Brien hardly covering himself in glory in L4.
Jake O'Brien
Credit: Imago
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Paul Robinson slams Everton defence vs Newcastle
Everton played host to Newcastle United off the back of their 2-1 defeat against Marseille in the Champions League.
A defeat on the continent continued their shocking run of away form, which had left them without three points on the road since October, with their previous coming in April.
The home side should have been full of confidence coming into a clash against Eddie Howe’s men, especially based on their Hill Dickinson form.
That wasn’t the case, and the Toffees seriously struggled and were undone in the first half by three moments of true quality from the Magpies.
Former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson piled the blame on Everton, suggesting they had caused their own problems, after Lewis Miley had scored the second.
Speaking live via BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “What a defensive mess from an Everton point of view! They had a number of opportunities to clear the ball.
“It was Anthony Elanga again on this right-hand side again. Jordan Pickford went to pat the shot down with two hands and just made a real mess of it.
“*He actually patted it on his own palms between his own legs. Everton are defensively an absolute shambles at the moment.*“
Jake O’Brien worst of bad bunch vs Newcastle United
The Toffees have been so poor defensively that any four of their backline and criticise exactly how poor they have been on the night.
It feels as if O’Brien has been the man to struggle most up against Harvey Barnes and Lewis Hall down Newcastle’s left.
The Republic of Ireland international attempted two crosses and failed both, with a zero per cent success rate, while his long ball accuracy stopped at 33 per cent.
Everton star Jake O'Brien in Ireland training gear.
Credit: Imago
He may have two ground duels, but that isn’t to say he made much of a difference physically, especially with Newcastle scoring from two set-piece conditions.
There was plenty to improve on for the Evertonians on what was a largely frustrating night on Merseyside.
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