Newcastle's Premier League woes continued with a 3-2 defeat to Everton, a result that head coach Eddie Howe likened to a previous loss against Brentford. The match at St James' Park saw Everton's Thierno Barry score a late winner, just 74 seconds after coming on as a substitute. This result mirrored Newcastle's 3-2 loss to Brentford earlier in the season, leaving Howe to reflect on his team's performance.
Howe admitted his recent soul-searching, acknowledging that he wasn't doing his job 'well enough'. Despite his players' efforts, Newcastle has struggled, winning only four of their last five matches. The team's recent form has been poor, and they currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League.
Howe attributed the team's struggles to the demands of Europe and the deluge of games, making it challenging to maintain focus. Despite a strong start to the season, Newcastle has conceded 23 goals since their last clean sheet, raising concerns about their defensive stability.
The team's recent changes, including resting key players and making tactical adjustments, have not yielded the desired results. Howe's decision to field players in unfamiliar positions, such as Joelinton on the left and Nick Woltemade in midfield, contributed to the team's lethargy.
Everton's victory was sealed by a combination of Newcastle's defensive errors and Everton's clinical finishing. David Moyes' team capitalized on Newcastle's vulnerabilities, with Iliman Ndiaye dispossessing Anthony Gordon and setting up Thierno Barry for the winning goal.
Despite the setback, Newcastle has upcoming fixtures that could turn their season around, including a Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona and a home match against Manchester United. Howe emphasized the need for consistency and a sustained high level of performance to succeed in the Premier League.
The team's recent struggles have led to a loss of form and confidence, but Howe remains optimistic. He believes that the team can raise its game when needed but acknowledges that this is not a characteristic of a top team. The challenge for Newcastle is to maintain a high level of performance consistently, especially against tough opposition.
