Goodison Park witnessed a thrilling yet goalless encounter between Everton and Newcastle United on Saturday in the Premier League. Jordan Pickford was the star of the show, denying Anthony Gordon’s penalty to help Everton secure a hard-fought point. Despite Newcastle’s dominance, they couldn’t find a way past the determined Toffees’ defense.
First-Half Drama and Disallowed Goals
The first half was full of action, and it seemed Everton had taken the lead in the 18th minute. Abdoulaye Doucoure found the back of the net with a powerful header, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. It was a big blow for the home side, but they stayed resilient.
Newcastle soon got their chance when James Tarkowski fouled Sandro Tonali in the box during a corner, handing the Magpies a penalty in the 35th minute. With the crowd tense, former Everton player Anthony Gordon stepped up to the spot. It was a golden opportunity for him to put Newcastle ahead and haunt his former club.
But Jordan Pickford had other plans. The England international dived to his right, producing a brilliant save that left Goodison Park roaring with joy. The crowd loved it, as Gordon missed his moment, and Pickford’s name echoed around the stadium.
Newcastle’s Possession Without Penetration
Newcastle controlled the game, especially in the first half, where they enjoyed 71% possession. Yet, despite their dominance, they struggled to create clear chances. Aside from Gordon’s penalty, Pickford wasn’t called into action often. The Magpies lacked a cutting edge in the final third, with their possession yielding little threat to the Everton goal.
The stats at halftime painted the picture of a one-sided affair in terms of possession, but the scoreline remained even. Newcastle may have been dictating the flow, but Everton were holding firm.
Everton’s Penalty Appeal Denied
In the second half, Everton began to grow into the game. The Toffees had their moment of controversy in the 66th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down inside the box under a challenge from Dan Burn. The Everton players appealed loudly for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. VAR reviewed the incident, but it upheld the decision, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Despite Everton’s improved play, Newcastle still had the upper hand as they pressed for a winner in the closing stages. However, Everton’s defense, marshaled by Tarkowski and Pickford, refused to break.
Pickford Saves the Day Again
Jordan Pickford was called into action several more times before the final whistle, making three key saves to deny Newcastle. His performance earned him the well-deserved title of Man of the Match. Without his heroics, Everton might have left Goodison Park empty-handed.
Final Whistle and the League Standings
The final whistle blew with both sides sharing the spoils in a match that had plenty of drama but lacked goals. Newcastle may feel disappointed, especially after dominating the game, but Eddie Howe’s side couldn’t find that crucial breakthrough.
The draw sees Newcastle move into sixth place in the Premier League table, with 12 points from seven matches. Meanwhile, Everton remain 16th, with five points from seven games, as they continue their fight to climb up the table.
Match Stats: A Closer Look
- Possession: Everton 32%-68% Newcastle
- Shots: Everton 8-16 Newcastle
- Shots on Target: Everton 2-3 Newcastle
- Corners: Everton 0-10 Newcastle
- Fouls: Everton 12-8 Newcastle
Newcastle’s stats reflected their dominance, with 16 shots and 10 corners compared to Everton’s 8 shots and no corners. However, the most important stat—goals—remained level.
What’s Next?
Everton will look to extend their unbeaten run to four games when they travel to Ipswich Town after the international break. This could be a key match for the Toffees as they aim to pull away from the lower end of the table.
For Newcastle, the focus will be on bouncing back. They’ll welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to St James’ Park, where they will hope to regain their winning momentum. Eddie Howe’s team will want to convert their possession and dominance into goals next time around.
Man of the Match: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford was Everton’s savior, especially with his penalty save against Anthony Gordon. The 30-year-old made a series of crucial stops to ensure his team walked away with a point. His leadership at the back, along with his quick reflexes, made all the difference. Pickford’s performance was as good as scoring a goal for the Toffees.
Conclusion: A Tale of Missed Chances
This was a game of missed opportunities for both sides. For Newcastle, dominating possession and chances didn’t result in the win they craved. For Everton, a resilient defensive display, particularly from their goalkeeper, ensured they kept a clean sheet and earned a valuable point.
The goalless draw may not have provided fireworks in front of goal, but it offered plenty of talking points. Both teams will now regroup during the international break, eager to return stronger and push further up the Premier League table.