Key events
12 mins: It should also be said that on the previous set-piece Young was marking Burn, which sounds like a bad idea.
10 mins: OFF THE LINE! A Newcastle corner is flicked to the back post where Guimaraes is waiting. His volley beats Pickford but Ndiaye somehow blocks the shot on the line.
9 mins: Calvert-Lewin collects a long ball, takes a couple of touches and shoots wide but is then penalised for a high boot, which is a bit harsh considering Trippier is dipping his head down.
8 mins: Everton have a clear plan to be quite direct and take Newcastle by surprise with long balls out wide.
6 mins: Barnes gets the better of makeshift right-back Garner but his cross is blocked at the front post. There could be fun to be had for Newcastle wingers against Garner and Young.
4 mins: Pickford trots forward to take a free-kick from the halfway line. He lumps it into the box, Tarkowski wins the initial header but Pope comes out to punch clear.
2 mins: Tonali lifts the ball over Keane who takes him down inside the Newcastle half. There is, admittedly, next to no contact.
Kick off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
The players are in the tunnel. Tarkowski gets a police escort before being greeted by former Burnley teammate Nick Pope.
Arsenal had to come from behind against Southampton.
“Staying awake while Daylight Savings officially starts – literally as I type and send this email – means I am effectively losing an hour of sleep as the local clock passes 2:00am and becomes 3:00am,” emails Chris Paraskevas.
“In order to counter sleep deprivation I’ve just had a second dinner (slightly undercooked cheeseburger) to ‘keep the motor going’. I just hope the players are as dedicated as I am to the cause.
“Our inconsistency collectively and individually this season has been infuriating: more than capable at our best and probably the competition’s most tedious at our worst.
“Time for Anthony Gordon to properly kick start his season with a star performance. (sorry, Mary Waltz!)”
I am sure this energetic fixture will focus the mind.
Leicester are up and running.
Pass the time by reading my work from this week.
Mary Waltz emails: “Greetings Will. Now that we are out of the relegation position I have decided to abandon my normal pessimism and dream of the coming sunlit uplands. New owner, new stadium coming, sure we are only a point out of the dumpster and injuries have taken out our promising youngster for today’s tussle with Newcastle I am going embrace a positive attitude (or denial if you want to get all technical about it.) “
Anthony Gordon is back at Goodison Park.
It is a blow that Branthwaite is missing once more after recently returning from injury. The Everton defence is miles better with him next to Tarkowski.
Pre-match reading.
Isak is missing again for Newcastle, leaving Gordon to lead the line. He will quite fancy upsetting his former employers, I am sure.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Garner, Keane, Tarkowski, Young; Mangala, Doucoure; Harrison, McNeil, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Beto, O’Brien, Gueye, Lindstrom, Iroegbunam, Armstrong, Dixon
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon, Barnes
Subs: Odysseas, Ruddy, Krafth, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff
Preamble
There is some positivity back at Goodison Park after securing their first Premier League win over the season last time out. Furthermore, the end of their takeover saga is in sight. Sean Dyche is still not particularly popular with the Everton fanbase but is key strength is putting a run of results together and a second victory will give him a boost.
Newcastle have had a funny season of not playing particularly well but picking up results. Last weekend’s draw against Manchester City was well-earned point and they certainly have the firepower to cause teams problems and they will fancy their chances on Merseyside. A win would put them into the top four for 24 hours, which is a big incentive.
Let’s hope for a cracker.
Kick-off: 5.3opm BST
