Newcastle United have qualified for the Champions League but it wasn’t by their own doing after losing to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season.
It was a massive final day for Newcastle United as they battled for a Champions League place but they got off to a slow start in an uneventful first half.
Eddie Howe persisted with the back-three formation and it didn’t work, with Newcastle’s attacking flow stymied and their flanks easily exposed on the counterattack. Nick Pope had to make several important saves to keep the score goalless.
The manager changed his system back to 4-3-3 at half time but it did little to change the state of the game, with Everton continuing to frustrate before taking the lead through Carlos Alcaraz.
Newcastle pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t find one, yet, former Sunderland player Amad scoring the winning goal for Manchester United against Aston Villa means Newcastle have still qualified for the Champions League. Man Utd would win 2-0 with Christian Eriksen scoring the second.
It’s not what they deserve on the day, but they do after a brilliant season.
Here’s how the players rated.
Nick Pope – 9
Easily Newcastle’s best player. Pope made several crucial, solid saves, including a fantastic reaction stop to Alcaraz’s header and another from his shot. Continued in the second half with more fine stops. Could do little about the goal he finally scored.
Pope even made another brilliant stop in the closing stages from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He couldn’t have made a better case to remain as No.1 next season than this game.
Fabian Schar – 6
Everton repeatedly looked to attack the space down the right flank, which left Fabian Schar often caught between two positions and exposed. Struggled early on but grew into the game and came closer than most to finding an equaliser.
Sven Botman – 4
A very difficult game for Sven Botman, who looked uncomfortable throughout. He had a hard time at points against the physically imposing Beto and was given the runaround by Illiman Ndiaye, too, but an aerial threat himself at the opposite end. Rightfully taken off just past the hour mark.
Dan Burn – 3
A quiet game, with Everton concentrating their attacks down the right side. A brief move to left-back proved he won’t be playing there again anytime soon. Completely lost Alcaraz for his opener. Lucky Pope was able to deny Calvert-Lewin after he was easily beaten by the striker.
Jacob Murphy – 4
Jacob Murphy was able to get on the ball a bit more in attacking positions than he did against Arsenal but was a constant weak link at the back, with Everton exposing the space he left behind. It’s not his fault, given it’s not his position, but the experiment must end.
Moved back to the wing in the second half but did even less going forward.
Bruno Guimaraes – 7
Endeavoured to make things happen in the first half with endless effort and imagination on the ball, especially with one ludicrous back heel. Sadly, the forwards didn’t make the most of his good work.
Sandro Tonali – 7
Sandro Tonali also tried his best to get the side going, showing his own prowess on the ball with strong, direct running into the channels. However, clearly isn’t as comfortable in a midfield two as he is at the base of a three when he can dictate the play, as he showed in the second half. Set-piece deliveries caused havoc, too.
Tino Livramento – 7
Newcastle’s most dangerous player in a lacklustre first half, with his incisive runs and clipped balls down the left the side’s most consistent attacking play. At the back, did well to come across and cover when Everton got in behind down the right.
Harvey Barnes – 3
An incredibly frustrating performance as Harvey Barnes wasted several promising positions with overhit passes and loose first touches, earning increasingly fraught gasps of exasperation from the crowd. It felt like he didn’t find a teammate with one forward pass in the attacking third.
Alexander Isak – 5
Clearly not fit and struggled to impose himself on Everton’s well-drilled defence. Did test the goalkeeper with a couple of stinging drives from distance.
Anthony Gordon – 4
Anthony Gordon has been under pressure to deliver a good performance but he didn’t have one, even against an ancient Ashley Young.
There was some bright moments and touches but not enough to save him from a half-time removal – though he was unlucky to get the hook over Barnes.
It’ll be interesting to see where Gordon’s future lies this summer, with transfer rumours already growing.
Substitutes
Joe Willock – 4
On at the break with Howe changing to 4-3-3, but made minimal impact if any.
Kieran Trippier – 5
He wasn’t on long when he wasn’t quick enough to get out to the crosser who teed up the goal. Did well going forward, though.
Callum Wilson – 6
In perhaps his final game for the club, Callum Wilson came on for the final 20 minutes and applied himself well without getting many chances.
Will Ousla – 5
Came on late, missed a couple of chances.
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