Premier League: Stalemate as Everton 0, Newcastle 0
In what was anticipated to be Anthony Gordon’s highlighted comeback to Goodison Park, things didn’t go as planned for the Newcastle striker. A potential penalty shot by Gordon was blocked by his English teammate, Jordan Pickford. Consequently, an exciting yet goalless stand-off was observed between Everton and Newcastle.
Eddie Howe’s team couldn’t carry forward the momentum from their previous robust performance against Manchester City, with Gordon missing multiple opportunities. A strong argument for a second penalty in favour of Everton was vetoed when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was knocked down in front of the goal by Dan Burn. The video referee ascertained Calvert-Lewin as initiating the offence.
The first half of the match was filled with intense moments, thanks to VAR, Pickford, and of course, Gordon. Amidst additional hindrances to Everton’s defense, their spirited initiation was noticeable. The last match against Crystal Palace saw Sean Dyche introducing his strongest defensive lineup this season, featuring Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko, both recently recovered from health issues.
The result was their first Premier League victory of the season. However, a week later, both players were back in the medical facility. With no acknowledged right-back at hand, the role was filled by James Garner and Ashley Young had to shift to the left. Newcastle couldn’t captialise fully on this in spite of controlling the midfield via Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães and their assertive attack.
Guimarães nearly scored an early goal when Kieran Trippier’s corner skimmed off Calvert-Lewin. The Newcastle captain, standing alone at the far post, took a shot at the goal. Pickford was beaten but, against all odds, Iliman Ndiaye managed to deflect the ball out with his instep.
Everton found themselves in the throes of ecstasy after Garner delivered an impeccable cross into the core of Newcastle’s penalty zone, only for Doucouré, who had masterfully directed the ball’s placement post being discovered by Calvert-Lewin, to provide a fine header to the top edge. The jubilation of Everton didn’t last long, with a VAR review for offside bringing premature celebration to a halt.
Later, VAR was once more called upon after a reckless takedown by James Tarkowski on Tonali at a corner for Newcastle. Even though both players were entangled in dual embrace, Everton’s defender seized the Italian midfielder by the neck, dragging him down. After consulting the pitchside review, Craig Pawson pointed to the spot, offering Gordon, the former clubman, the golden chance to make his maiden score against his past team and emulate his earlier weekend penalty victory against Manchester City. Gordon faced heavy mockery from the Gwladys Street crowd, their erstwhile winger, as he approached to execute the penalty kick. Pickford, accustomed to regular jeering by Newcastle supporters for his origins in Sunderland, dived to his left to deflect the penalty kick, leaving Goodison in a state of euphoria.
The tensions continued for Gordon as he squandered a headshot from Jacob Murphy’s cross during the overtime in the first half. The 23-year-old, playing centre-forward due to Alexander Isak’s absence, set up Joelinton instead of going for the goal, for which Everton relievedly dismissed the ball.
The England International, enjoying latitude across Newcastle’s forward line, troubled Everton from the wings in the latter half. Moments following the start, Gordon projected a tempting cross at the rear post where Joelinton propelled the ball to the approaching Tonali. Tarkowski redeemed for his previous hasty action with a critical block.
Newcastle’s substitute, Miguel Almirón was blocked by Pickford before Idrissa Gueye ousted Tonali’s header from the resulting corner. Everton failed to capitalize on several opportunities, despite a good setup by Dwight McNeil for Calvert-Lewin within Newcastle’s box. Calvert-Lewin’s bottom spiral was thwarted by Nick Pope. As he went for the rebound, he was brought down by Burn’s rear tackle.
Pawson seemed indifferent to what appeared to be an obvious penalty, and VAR concluded that it was Burn who was initially kicked by Calvert-Lewin. Nonetheless, Gueye, who got to the stray ball before anyone else, should have silenced any disagreements. Remarkably, he managed to overshoot a wide-open goal from just four yards away, according to The Guardian.