Blue Monday – Everton v Newcastle United preview
Posted on September 16th, 2012 | 77 Comments |
Date: Monday, 17th September.
Kick off: 8:00pm
Referee: Mike Jones.
UK TV: Sky Sports 1.
With the international break finally over, we can get back to the nitty gritty of the Premier League when Everton take on Newcastle United at Goodison Park on Monday night.
Both sides have aspirations of finishing in the top 6 yet they both went into the international break on the back of poor performances so no doubt they’ll be looking to bounce back with a win. Its just possible, even at this early stage in the season. We could be in for a classic.
After a good start, Everton came back to reality with a disappointing 0-2 reverse against the Baggies at The Hawthorns having won their two opening games against Man USA and the Villa. Whereas the Toon’s previous showings have been somewhat underwhelming after their initial opening day win against Spuds. Subsequently we lost comprehensively at Chelsea, only 0-2 in terms of result but 3/10 in terms of performance which was followed by a lacklustre 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa. With a less than full capacity at SJP, Toon lost the first half with a typically uninspiring performance but somehow clawed their way back into the game with yet another outstanding individual strike from Hatem Ben Arfa.
So not only have we dropped points but we’ve also managed to top the “Physio Room” charts with the following key players out for a period of time.
Newcastle United injuries
Newcastle United injuries | ||
T.Krul | Arm/Elbow | 29th Sep, 12 |
F.Coloccini | Hamstring | 17th Sep, 12 |
H.Vuckic | Groin | TBC |
D.Simpson | Hamstring | 29th Sep, 12 |
J.Perch | Neck | 17th Sep, 12 |
R.Taylor | ACL Knee | Mar, 2013 |
C.Tiote | Calf/Shin | 23rd Sep, 12 |
S.Ameobi | Hamstring | 17th Sep 12 |
To confirm what Pardew has said:
“We have had problems Colo is struggling. Krul is out for two or three games. In some respects he can take an enforced break. Cheick, I would say, is touch and go for next week too, so we are down on what you would like to select from. We have lost three of our back five that started the season – that’s a significant blow for us because we are not a Chelsea or a Manchester United, who can bring in international players to replace them. Having said that, I think our replacements are strong. We are not that much down on going there with those guys.”
So we know there will be at least five first teamers missing from the side that starts on Monday but fortunately we have a massive squad from which to choose alternatives??? From that list it is assumed that James Perch is expected to be available, whilst Pardew can at least be thankful that both Sammy and Shola Ameobi and Shane Ferguson along with Haris Vuckic are all back in training.
The two major concerns for the home side are the fitness of Steven Pienaar and Darron Gibson, who have both struggled with thigh strains. They were both missing from international duty during the break but Steven Pienaar is more likely to feature against us while Darron Gibson, who has had a dream start to his Everton career, is likely to be out for at least four weeks.
It’s possible that new signing Bryan Oviedo, former FC Copenhagen midfielder, could make his home debut if his clearance comes through, although it would most likely be from the bench.
Everton v Newcastle United History
During the past 100 years or so of top flight football both sides have won 64 times and there have also been 34 draws. More recently our record at Goodison in the Premier League has not been so good winning on only six occasions since we first achieved Premier League status in 1993.
2011/12 Lost 1-3 og (Hibbert)
2010/11 Won 1-0 Ben Arfa
2008/09 Drew 2-2 Taylor, Duff
2007/08 Lost 1-3 Owen (pen)
2006/07 Lost 0-3
2005/06 Lost 0-1
2004/05 Lost 0-2
2003/04 Drew 2-2 Shearer 2 pens
2002/03 Lost 1-2 Robert
2001/02 Won 3-1 Bellamy, Solano, Acuna
2000/01 Drew 1-1 og (Unsworth)
1999/00 Won 2-0 Hughes, Dyer
1998/99 Lost 0-1
1997/98 Drew 0-0
1997/98 Won 1-0 Rush (FAC)
1996/97 Lost 0-2
1995/96 Won 3-1 Ferdinand, Lee, Kitson
1994/95 Lost 0-1 (FAC)
1994/95 Lost 0-2
1993/94 Won 2-0 Cole, Beardsley
Bringing the stats right up to date, Everton have scored 20 goals in their last 6 home league games (last season and this) including all four in last season’s final day fixture which saw them finish 3-1 winners over us. The last opponent to score against the Blues at Goodison Park was Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen back in March 2012. Striker in form is Nikica Jelavic who has 8 in 9 league games whereas our top two have between them only once hit the net this season.
In a managerial head to head, Moyes leads Pardew 4-2 with 1 draw. However, Pardew will be missing from the touchline as he begins his two match ban following his push on the linesman at the Spuds game.
Squad sheets
Everton (from): Tim Howard(G), Ján Mucha (G), Leighton Baines, Phil Jageilka, Sylvain Distin, Phil Neville, Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas, Nikica Jelavic, Tony Hibbert, John Heitinga, Francisco Junior, Magaye Gueye, Apostolos Vellios, Victor Anichebe, Shane Duffy, Conor McAleny, Séamus Coleman, Luke Garbutt.
Newcastle (from): Steve Harper (G), Rob Elliot (G), Davide Santon, James Tavernier, James Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Yohan Cabaye, Jonás Gutiérrez, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux, Dan Gosling, Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana, Hatem Ben Arfa, Romain Amalfitano, Papiss Cissé, Demba Ba, Adam Campbell.
Whatever the line ups will be on Monday there is no doubt that Everton are the team in form at home. Defeat at West Brom last time out ended a run of 11 Premier League games without defeat for the Toffees (W7, D4) and Moyes’ side have won eight and lost just one of their last ten Premier League home matches. The only good news going into this game for us is that Gibson, who has played a remarkable 29 games for Everton without finishing on the losing side, is ruled out for a month with a thigh strain having come off in the first 20 minutes of their defeat at West Brom.
Bearing in mind we have a game on Thursday night in the sunny climes of the Atlantic, we will be looking at two tough games within the space of four days. There will be a new Number 1 between the sticks and hopefully, if it’s Harper, he’ll stay on the pitch longer than he did last time out at Goodison Park. The back four will also need “re arranging” as both Colo and Simmo are ruled out. So it looks like Anita will deputise for Simmo and Perch will partner Saylor in the middle, leaving Williamson as our sole surviving central defender with BPL experience, on the bench.
Looking for points first and foremost, I’d like to see Cabaye in an advanced midfield position with both Jonas and Bigi shoring up the middle leaving HBA free to roam with Ba and Cisse in a front three. However knowing Mr “4-4-2” Pardew, I’m afraid we’ll succumb to the usual unimaginative solution of 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 with Ba allegedly playing off Cisse?
Possible Line ups

Conclusion
This is a crunch game for Pardew so early in the season. After two lacklustre performances he must get the team firing on all cylinders with a solid display against an Everton side brimming with confidence despite losing last time out. Despite the run of injuries he still has a side to equal that of our opponents on Monday night if only he has the cahones to deliver the right solution.
Assuming we have all players fit, Toon have three match winners in Ba, Cisse and HBA who will relish the the chance to put on another magical display to rival the last one at Goodison all those months ago. So it’s up to Pardew to work out whether he can live with another turgid display, leaving forwards isolated with little service, or take the game to an Everton side who will undoubtedly miss the ball winning and distribution of Darron Gibson.
If he gets it right we could win this 2-1 even allowing for a Jelavic goal!
Poll
I really cant see Felli playing left wing !