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Newcastle United player ratings v Everton: How Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey & co featured in our full-time player ratings.
Newcastle United were the masters of their own downfall as a hapless performance on a wet day at St James’ Park ended in yet another defeat for Eddie Howe’s side. The second of five successive home games for Newcastle United saw them take on Everton just days after they had defeated Qarabag in the Champions League.
Howe named six changes to his starting XI from that game for the visit of David Moyes’ side, including returns for Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey who missed out in midweek due to suspension and injury respectively. Those six changes may have contributed to a slow start by the hosts who struggled for possession early on.
A mistake by Thiaw as Newcastle United looked to build an attack offered Everton the chance to strike at goal, but Dwight McNeil could only lift his strike well above Nick Pope’s crossbar. Joelinton was first to have a go for United, but like McNeil before him, his effort was too high.
Everton then deservedly took the lead in the 20th minute when Jarrad Branthwaite flicked in a corner past a stranded Pope. Sandro Tonali, the man guilty of losing his opponent for the goal.
A tactical tweak by Howe saw Nick Woltemade shift into striker on the half hour mark paid immediate dividends as Ramsey equalised with a deflected effort over Jordan Pickford. However, the Toffees were immediately ahead again when Beto followed in a long range effort from McNeil to tap home past Pope who was at fault for spilling the tame effort from his one-time Burnley teammate.
The Magpies pushed for an equaliser before the break but couldn't test Pickford. A smattering of boos once again greeted Howe’s side as they headed down the tunnel at the break.
Their hopes of coming back into the game were dealt an immediate blow when Ramsey, their best player in the first-half, had to be withdrawn before the second-half got underway. The former Aston Villa man took to the field with his teammates but was taken off and replaced by Joe Willock before a ball had been kicked.
Newcastle toiled for a way back into the game and saw a couple of efforts go close but were still to really test Pickford. Beto should have added a second to his haul and third for the visitors after the hour mark as he pounced on a mistake by Thiaw, but he could only smash his effort off the crossbar - much to the relief of Thiaw and delight of those in black-and-white.
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The Magpies, though, were able to once again drag themselves level when Jacob Murphy volleyed home, via a number of deflections, past Pickford. However, in a ridiculous deja vu moment, no quicker had they equalised before being behind again.
This time it was Anthony Gordon at fault as he lost the ball in a dangerous area which allowed the Toffees to break and eventually the ball was bundled home by Thierno Barry. That goal summed up what was a miserable afternoon for Newcastle United as they laboured to a third-successive home Premier League defeat. Here are our full-time player ratings after Newcastle United’s 3-2 defeat against Everton:
Newcastle United player ratings v Everton
Nick Pope - 3
Read the game well in the early stages. Was majorly at fault for Beto’s goal - a real howler from the Magpies man and a disaster so soon after his side had got themselves back into the game. Flapped at a few crosses.
Kieran Trippier - 4
Like many of his teammates, Trippier was guilty of being sloppy on a number of occasions. Didn’t help his cause by putting in some poor deliveries from dead ball situations.
Malick Thiaw - 5
Sloppy in possession at times but dealt well with the physicality of Beto in the first-half. Very fortunate to get away with a slip as Beto rattled the bar from close range.
Dan Burn - 5
Made two good early headers but looked nervy throughout the first-half against Beto.
Lewis Hall - 6
Looked lively in attack and decent defensively, although he was caught flat-footed as Beto ghosted past him to equalise.
Jacob Ramsey - 7
Enjoyed a lot of early touches and was confident and positive with the ball. Was easily his side’s best player in the first-half and deserved a slice of luck for his goal. Took off at half-time.
Sandro Tonali - 5
Completed a lungbusting run to deny a promising Everton counter-attack on the quarter hour mark. Got caught behind Brathwaite for the opening goal. Unlucky to see a late volley saved.
Nick Woltemade - 4
Started the game in midfield. Sloppy in possession before being moved up-front in the 30th minute. Did very little before being substituted in the 56th minute.
Anthony Elanga - 4
Looked lively but once again really struggled for any end product. Largely anonymous and lacking any quality.
Anthony Gordon - 2
Started up front but had little influence in the game early on. Didn’t pull the trigger on a couple of occasions when the space opened up and misplaced a few passes for his teammates in promising positions. Had an effort blocked by a defender on the hour. Played both as a striker and on the right during the second half but once again failed to impress against his former employers. Lost the ball in a dangerous area for Everton’s third goal. A terrible afternoon.
Joelinton - 4
Started on the left wing. Shifted into midfield after 30 minutes but wasn’t able to influence the game in any way. A very quiet performance.
SUB: Joe Willock - 5
Replaced Ramsey at the break. Very energetic in his attempts to win the ball back and drive his team forward. Booked for pulling back Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as Everton broke - not the worst yellow card in the world. Lacked quality.
SUB: Jacob Murphy - 5
Replaced Elanga with ten minutes of the second half played. Struck the ball well for his goal.
SUB: Harvey Barnes - 5
Came on for Woltemade in the 55th minute. Had a golden opportunity to equalise but was caught between a cross and a shot and did neither.
SUB: Yoane Wissa - 5
Replaced Trippier with 16 minutes left to play. Barely had a kick. A forgettable performance on a miserable afternoon.
SUB: Will Osula - N/A
Replaced Gordon with five minutes of normal time to play.
Unused substitutes: Aaron Ramsdale, Sven Botman, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar
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