Newcastle United first-half ratings – 3/10 ‘disaster’ & ‘disappointing’ Anthony Gordon v Everton

Newcastle United first-half ratings – 3/10 ‘disaster’ & ‘disappointing’ Anthony Gordon v Everton

Newcastle United F.C. hosted Everton F.C. in the second of five consecutive home fixtures, just days after their Champions League victory over Qarabag FK.

Head coach Eddie Howe made six changes to the side that featured in midweek, restoring both Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey to the starting XI after suspension and injury ruled them out previously.

However, the reshuffle appeared to disrupt Newcastle’s rhythm, with the hosts struggling to control possession in the early stages.
A misplaced pass from Thiaw during a build-up nearly gifted Everton an opener, but Dwight McNeil fired his effort well over the bar guarded by Nick Pope. At the other end, Joelinton also failed to hit the target with United’s first attempt.

Everton’s pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Jarrad Branthwaite glanced a corner beyond Pope, with Sandro Tonali losing his marker in the build-up to the goal.

A tactical switch from Howe saw Nick Woltemade pushed forward into a central striking role around the half-hour mark, and the move quickly brought results. Ramsey levelled with a deflected strike that looped over Jordan Pickford.

The parity was short-lived, though. McNeil tested Pope from distance, and the goalkeeper spilled the relatively tame effort into the path of Beto, who tapped in to restore Everton’s advantage — a costly error from the Newcastle stopper against his former Burnley teammate.

The Magpies searched for another equaliser before half-time but failed to seriously trouble Pickford, going into the break trailing 2–1.
Half-Time Player Ratings

Nick Pope – 3: Started alertly but was heavily at fault for Everton’s second goal, a major blunder at a crucial moment.

Kieran Trippier – 4: Sloppy in possession and ineffective from set-pieces.

Malick Thiaw – 6: Occasionally careless on the ball but handled Beto’s physical presence reasonably well.

Dan Burn – 5: Won a couple of early aerial duels but looked uneasy throughout.

Lewis Hall – 6: Positive going forward and solid defensively, though caught out for the equaliser.

Jacob Ramsey – 7: Newcastle’s standout performer in the first half, confident in possession and rewarded with a fortunate but deserved goal.

Sandro Tonali – 5: Showed energy to break up play but lost Branthwaite for the opener.

Nick Woltemade – 5: Began in midfield and struggled before being shifted up front.

Anthony Elanga – 4: Energetic but once again lacking quality in the final third.