Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nick Woltemade has been singled out for criticism following Newcastle United’s defeat to Everton.
Woltemade continued in midfield and Anthony Gordon again started at striker as Joelinton returned to the starting line-up as a left winger.
But after Jarrad Branthwaite headed Everton in front in the 19th minute, Eddie Howe switched the three players. Woltemade moved up top, Gordon went out to the left and Joelinton slotted back into the midfield three.
The Magpies managed to get themselves back on level terms through Jacob Ramsey but immediately conceded as Beto gave the Toffees a 2-1 lead at half-time.
Woltemade was hooked in the 56th minute before substitute Jacob Murphy looked to have rescued at least a point when he scored in the 82nd minute.
However, it was deja vu as the visitors re-took the lead around 70 seconds later as Thierno Barry got on the end of Kiernan Dewsberry-Hall’s low cross.
Alan Shearer singles out Nick Woltmade after Newcastle United defeat v Everton
Shearer described Newcastle’s set-up as “a mess” before singling out Woltemade. The German arrived as a striker for a club-record £64million last summer but has started the last five matches in midfield.
“First of all, I thought Newcastle were a bit of a mess today, particularly in the first half an hour when Joelinton was on the left-hand side, Woltemade was in central midfield and Gordon was up top,” Shearer told Match of the Day. “Then he changed it and put Woltemade up top.
“When you look at the stats from Woltemade, it’s nowhere near good enough. I know part of that is being in midfield but part of it again was up front today. No goals, no assists, no shots, no touches in the opposition box and 14 touches today.
“It’s not all his fault because others have to improve as well and others have to step up but there’s a conundrum for Eddie on where and how he gets the best out of him. I think there’s a player in there but there’s a player that is really, really struggling.”
Eddie Howe explains Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon & Joelinton set-up
Explaining his set-up and the changes during the game, Howe said: “We shuffled around a little bit today. I don't think we were quick starters, we conceded a goal, we needed a fresh impetus in the game. I thought the changes helped us, especially in that second half, I thought it was our best period of the game.
“Nick, we struggled to get him into the game with the amount of ball we would have liked to have done. Even when he moved to centre forward again, I felt he was short of touches and short of goalmouth involvement, so that's why we made the changes we did.
“As I always say on these things, it would be foolish of me to sit here and say I regret the set-up. The set-up was done with reason and with the time that we had, the limited time that we had to prepare the game.
“I thought there was good logic behind what we did. Then you see the reality of it and you think, we didn't like it so we changed it. I don't know, I think sometimes too much can be made of those things. It's a really small tweak in terms of players positioning.
“I think the biggest one would be Ant [Gordon] then he moving out wide to then maybe get his speed against one of their defenders. That's probably the biggest change. The other two are real minimal changes.
“You can always look back and then reflect and go, would I do that again? That's a different question. That's the perils of being a manager I'm afraid.”
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