Ben Foster suggests Eddie Howe made a big mistake during Newcastle’s draw with Everton

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Newcastle United were pretty toothless during their draw with Everton on Saturday.

The Magpies dominated the game at Goodison Park, but only returned to the North East with a point.

Newcastle United struggled to create chances against Everton, despite having most of the possession. Eddie Howe’s side lacked a spark in the final third, while Jordan Pickford was on hand to save Newcastle’s best chance of the game.

Anthony Gordon’s penalty saved as Newcastle draw with Everton

That came from the spot, as Anthony Gordon missed a penalty against his former club.

It was a poor penalty from the 23-year-old, with Gordon taking responsibility for Newcastle dropping points.

It was a huge moment in the game, made all the more intense due to Gordon’s history with the Toffees. He came through their academy, but did not leave on good terms when he joined Newcastle United for £40million in January 2023.

As expected, Newcastle’s number 10 was booed throughout the game, while the Everton fans celebrated wildly after Pickford saved Gordon’s effort from 12 yards.

• READ MORE: Who is Anthony Gordon? Age, height, career, position, girlfriend

Ben Foster argues against Anthony Gordon taking Newcastle penalty

In the aftermath of the miss, some Newcastle fans have debated whether someone else should have taken the penalty, given the emotion of the situation for Gordon.

That is the view of Ben Foster, who has suggested on The Football Fill-In on his YouTube channel that Eddie Howe should have nominated another penalty taker for the game at Goodison Park.

“I think there are certain times, though, where it’s just a little bit too much,” he said.

“And he is still young. You have got to think, taking a penalty away at Everton with all those fans baying for blood behind the goal, they are absolutely getting in his head, they are giving him all sorts of stick, they would have given him stick in the build-up to the game, all throughout the warm-up, all throughout the game.

“I think sometimes as a manager or even some of the experienced players alongside him at Newcastle, maybe go, you know what, let’s not let him take the penalty today. Let’s just make a point of it being somebody else.”

Gordon was right to take Newcastle penalty

It is easy to say in hindsight that Gordon should not have taken the penalty. It is easy to say it should have been given to someone like Fabian Schar, given his history of spot kicks.

But, in the moment, there was no way that Gordon should not have been taking that penalty. After Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, Gordon is the Magpies’ next penalty taker, and that should not change depending on the opponent or the stadium.

One week before the Everton miss, Gordon tucked away a perfect penalty against Manchester City. That was coolly converted, and he will have hoped to do the same at Goodison Park.

And what kind of message would it have sent to Gordon if the penalty had been taken off him? Newcastle had to put their faith in him and trust that he would find the back of the net.

Sadly, Gordon’s effort was saved, and he has been subsequently mocked by the Everton faithful. However, Gordon could have the last laugh when Newcastle face Everton at St James’ Park on the final day of the season.