Miguel Almiron’s wonder strike made the difference as Newcastle United beat Everton 1-0 to extend their unbeaten run to six games.
Miguel Almiron produced yet another stunner to help Newcastle United secure a 1-0 victory over toothless Everton after what was a feisty Premier League encounter at St. James’ Park under the lights.
The game got off to a fast start, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. As the game settled down, Newcastle started to dominate the proceedings with plenty of the ball and tested Jordan Pickford with a few half-hearted attempts.
Everton looked a threat on the break, but it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock. Miguel Almiron curled home a beauty from the edge of the box to net his fourth goal in as many games after some sublime combination play from Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes to set it up for the Paraguayan’s superb left foot.
Newcastle pushed the afterburners after that. Bruno Guimaraes fired narrowly wide, while Almiron and Murphy had other chances, with the visitors creaking all over the place. Newcastle caused real problems as they hunted for a second. Everton came out all guns blazing in the second half, with the midfield starting to win second-balls and exploit Newcastle’s high press.
Alex Iwobi, in particular, found open spaces between Newcastle’s midfield and backline and looked a threat on transitions. However, Eddie Howe tinkered his tactics in response and asked his troops to sit deep, thereby neutralising the visitors’ best weapon as Everton failed to produce anything from open play.
The result kept the Magpies riding high at sixth on the Premier League table with 18 points from 11 games. It took them 22 games to reach this tally last season, but their ability to grind out results with defensive resilience has impressed the most this season.
Nick Pope: 7/10
Pope had precious little to do between the sticks against a toothless Everton but remained alert to sweep things up effectively whenever the visitors threatened on the break. He faced zero shots on goal. While he did get down well once to deny one powerful Dominic Calvert-Lewin strike, the striker was adjudged offside.
Kieran Trippier: 8/10
Kieran Trippier’s game by numbers vs. Everton:
85% pass accuracy
40 touches
7 crosses completed (most)
4 ground duels won
4 tackles won
4 key passes
2 interceptionsMagnificent. 💫 pic.twitter.com/ECGQYxf8St
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 19, 2022
Another stellar display from the Toon skipper, who continues to deliver MOTM performances every week. A constant threat down the right-hand side, it was his cross that put into motion the sequence of events that resulted in Newcastle’s opener.
Trippier found it difficult to foray forward against a tricky opponent in Demarai Gray but responded by putting in several thumping challenges. He never lost his composure, tried to get forward, and delivered some excellent crosses.
Fabian Schar: 8/10
One of the most underrated centre-backs in the Premier League, Schar is a big reason why Newcastle boast the best defence in the top flight. Intelligent, ball-playing, aware of threats, and reads the game well to position himself at the right place in order to snuff out any potential danger.
Against Everton, it was yet another superb defensive display from the Swiss centre-back, who marshalled the back-line well and was constantly in command of his personal tussle with Calvert-Lewin.
Sven Botman: 8/10
🇳🇱 Sven Botman against Everton:
🔘66 Touches
🔘47 Passes
🔘3/4 Att.Third Passes
🔘81% Pass Accuracy
🔘2/3 Long Balls
🔘2 Chances Created
🔘2/3 Duels Won
🔘5 Ball Recoveries
🔘2 Tackles
🔘3 ClearancesBoss. #NUFC #NEW #NEWEVE pic.twitter.com/qauzA5Ks9k
— Mozo Football (@MozoFootball) October 19, 2022
Botman bossed it at the back yet again, not putting a foot wrong all game. He stepped up when the team needed some crispy passes or switches, won some important headers and was very tidy with the ball. It is clear to see why Eddie Howe was insistent on signing him. He single-handedly created more chances (2) than the whole Everton squad put together (1). Absolute Rolls Royce.
Dan Burn: 7/10
Like his fellow defenders, Burn was immense at the back. He had a couple of shaky moments up against Anthony Gordon but generally covered well and won some important headers as ever. As funny as it may sound, it seems Howe prefers him at left-back despite not looking like a natural fit.
Joelinton: 6/10
Joelinton won a plethora of tackles but was sloppy with the ball. Involved in the goal. He needs to be careful when on a tightrope after receiving a yellow card, as he got lucky with some rash ones here. Taken off at half-time due to injury.
Bruno Guimaraes: 8/10
Bruno Guimaraes was impeccable at both phases of the game. He was unplayable in the first half as Everton’s midfield was leaving all sorts of spaces for him to exploit. Came close to getting himself on the scoresheet and weighed in with an assist for the opener.
🇧🇷 Bruno Guimaraes has been involved in four goals in his last four games in the Premier League for Newcastle United.
🅰️ vs Everton
⭕️ vs Manchester United
⚽️⚽️ vs Brentford
🅰️ vs Fulham🔥. #NUFC #NEW #NEWEVE pic.twitter.com/uxkMova8q6
— Mozo Football (@MozoFootball) October 19, 2022
He could not influence the game in the same way in the second half, with Amadou Onana keeping a close watch on him and heckling him every time he looked to turn away with the ball.
Sean Longstaff: 7/10
Longstaff continued his rich vein of form against Everton. While he made a hasty start and was sloppy in possession early on with some poor forward passing, he improved as the game went on. His boundless energy, defensive contributions, and accurate passing were key factors in Newcastle never losing control of the game despite hanging on just a goal lead.
Miguel Almiron: 8.5/10
Almiron could not buy a goal last season, and now out of the blue, he cannot stop scoring. He was full of energy, while his movement and buzzing presence caused all sorts of problems for the visitors. He was the major beneficiary of Newcastle’s quality overload on the right-hand side as he took several dangerous attempts from the edge of the box with his favoured left foot.
The Paraguayan’s goal was a thing of beauty, and he seems to have developed a penchant for scoring stunners with his left peg. He came close to doubling Newcastle’s lead with another belter after the interval. It’s as if Jack Grealish’s arrogant jibe in Manchester City’s title celebrations last season inspired Almiron to rediscover his scoring touch and prove the doubters wrong. Man of the Match.
Miguel Almiron has scored as many PL goals this month as Jack Grealish has since joining Manchester City
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) October 19, 2022
Jacob Murphy: 6/10
Murphy looked like a potent threat in the first half as he was cutting inside and had Seamus Coleman on his toes in the opening exchanges of the game. However, he struggled to make a similar impact in the second half with too little end product. Subbed off.
Callum Wilson: 7/10
Wilson, the player to watch in our preview, battled hard against towering and physical centre-backs in James Tarkowski and Conor Coady and had little joy with only half-chances coming his way. But that does not mean his influence on the game waned. He drifted out wide to use his speed and tenacity to recover the ball and created a chance on the cut-back for Willock, who missed his effort.
SUBSTITUTES
Joe Willock: 7/10
It is virtually impossible to stop Willock when he pushes on the button of his locomotive engine. He kept driving Newcastle forward to release the pressure early in the second and wasted a couple of excellent opportunities that he himself created with his strong running.
Elliot Anderson: 6/10
Anderson looked lively after coming on. He looked to take on Everton players, had a couple of lovely first touches, showed some excellent control, and delivered a floating cross into the box that deserved a finish from Willock.
Ryan Fraser: 6/10
The Scot was in the warzone after his introduction, with tackles and shoulder barges flying in. Won a couple of handy free-kicks high up the pitch to release pressure off the backline.
Chris Wood: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
