Has Eddie Howe found his best team
For the first time this campaign, Howe named the same starting XI for consecutive Premier League games.
Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar recovered from their respective knocks to start in a back five also including Dan Burn and Lewis Hall.
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali formed the midfield three while Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy were the attack line.
Is that a hint that Howe has found his best team? It probably isn’t far off it with the exception of Alexander Isak, who should return after the international break.
Sven Botman is another you can’t forget, but he won’t be back until December at the earliest.
The performance against Everton was arguably Newcastle’s best on the road in a while, certainly the most controlled anyway.
And a big reason for that was the midfield three. The balance of that area has been a major concern of late, most recently after the defeat at Fulham when Emile Smith Rowe found space for fun.
The only difference in personnel from that depressing day in West London is Tonali for Joe Willock, but there are signs the Italian’s qualities help bring a better balance alongside Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Indeed, Howe agreed with NewcastleWorld that was the best the midfield has looked this campaign.
“It’s fair to say that,” said Howe. “It’s the best balance we’ve seen from the team as well as the midfield,” said Howe. “Everyone contributed and it was a mature performance and a solid performance away from home.
“If we won that game 2-0 I don’t think anyone would have begrudged us doing so.”
Tonali, although criticised by some for giving the ball away on a handful of occasions, linked up well with Trippier and Murphy down the right, much like Trippier, Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron did two seasons ago.
Guimaraes was simply back to his best with a highly composed and intelligent display, while Joelinton lived up to the “destroyer” description used by Howe in his pre-match press conference.
It turned out to be a bit of a nightmare night for Gordon at the home of his former club.
After James Tarkowski stupidly wrestled Tonali to the floor to concede a penalty, Gordon couldn’t have been handed a better opportunity to mark his third and final return to Goodison Park with a goal.
It, however, wasn’t to be with England teammate Jordan Pickford guessing the right way.
Now hindsight is a wonderful thing but you do wonder if Gordon taking the spot-kick was the right choice. Admittedly, it was his first penalty miss for Newcastle but his emotion and Pickford’s intel seemingly proved too much.
“Naturally he’ll be disappointed,” Howe admitted afterwards. “It was a much better performance from him today than last year so I thought he dealt with the occasion today really well. Tactically he gave them a problem going deep and he did really well.
“He had his moments and had a chance at the end of the game as well but his overall performance was very good. Anyone can miss a penalty and we absolutely support him, he’s been incredible for us but I thought today was a positive game for him.”
