Newcastle Suffer Setback After Late Everton Blow

‘Not the Sign of a Top Team’ – Newcastle Take Huge Step Backwards

Seventy-four seconds.

That was all Everton needed to reclaim the lead at St James’ Park and land a decisive blow against Newcastle United.

Substitute Thierno Barry struck late to seal a dramatic 3-2 win, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that continue to derail Eddie Howe’s side.

Defensive Frailties Cost Newcastle Again

Head coach Eddie Howe admitted his team’s league form has not been “good enough for a while”.

Newcastle conceded from a corner for the opener, then saw Nick Pope spill Dwight McNeil’s effort, allowing Beto to pounce. Even after Jacob Murphy levelled at 2-2, the hosts switched off again.

Anthony Gordon was dispossessed far too easily by Iliman Ndiaye in the build-up to the winner, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picking out Barry at the back post.

It was a familiar script — Newcastle’s third straight home league defeat and another example of what Howe described as a lack of consistency.

“We can raise our game when we need to,” Howe said.

“I don’t think that’s a sign of a top team, though.”

From Clean Sheets to Chaos

Earlier in the season, Newcastle kept five clean sheets in their opening seven league games. Now, they have conceded 23 goals since their last shutout.

Ironically, early struggles centred on scoring goals during the absence of Alexander Isak, but now the Magpies look threatening in attack while fragile at the back.

Jordan Pickford had to produce a superb late save to deny Sandro Tonali, yet Everton’s clinical edge ultimately proved decisive.

Manager David Moyes praised his side’s mentality:

“We probably never gave Newcastle a chance to enjoy their moment… Our mentality was great.”

European Distraction or Mentality Issue?

Howe pointed to the “perils of Europe” and fixture congestion affecting focus. Newcastle remain in the Champions League and face a high-profile last-16 tie with Barcelona, but their Premier League campaign is faltering.

Currently sitting 12th, Newcastle are running out of matches to rescue their domestic season.

Upcoming fixtures against Manchester United, Manchester City and Barcelona could define the direction of their campaign.

A Defining Period Ahead

Newcastle’s ability to lift their level for big occasions is clear. The problem, as Howe admitted, is sustaining it.

In the Premier League, lapses are punished instantly.

And right now, Newcastle are paying the price.