Sean Dyche is well aware of the challenge ahead of him as his Everton side prepare to take on Newcastle United.
The Magpies head to Goodison Park this weekend, as Newcastle United aim to make amends in a fixture that they struggled in last season.
Eddie Howe failed to beat Sean Dyche during the 2023/24 campaign. Everton won 3-0 at Goodison Park, while the return fixture at St James’ Park ended in a 1-1 draw. Alexander Isak scored an excellent goal that night, only for it to be cancelled out by a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty after a foul in the box by Paul Dummett.
But Newcastle are in a better position this season, and will be hopeful of a strong result against the Toffees on the back of an impressive performance during that 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
Sean Dyche full of praise for Eddie Howe and Newcastle
Dyche was very happy to do so well against Newcastle last season, but is not taking his record for granted.
He is a big fan of what Eddie Howe has done at St James’ Park, and has spoke glowingly about the Magpies during his pre-match press conference.
“They’re a good outfit, we know that,” he said.
“They’ve invested well and they’re well coached by Eddie. I think they do a good job there. He’s someone I definitely respect in the game.
“They’ve got some good individuals and they’re supplying another good season so far.
“We did do well in both games [last season], for different reasons. I think away ended up a sort of basketball match but we came out with a point. At home we delivered a very good performance.
“They can operate in different ways. They can play but they often get the ball forward quickly. So you’ve got to be alive to that pace and on the counter. They’re a good outfit and have been put together well.
“But our record against them was good last season, and there’s certainly no given reason why we can’t replicate that record, but you’ve got to play well. We’ve got to play well from the start to the finish.”
Newcastle need ‘good individuals’ to deliver against Everton
Dyche hinted towards Newcastle United’s individual stars, and Eddie Howe will be keen for them to impress at Goodison Park.
Earlier in the season, there was a lot of concern surrounding Newcastle’s difference makers. Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon were not playing particularly well, and it was massively hindering the Magpies’ performances.
But Bruno was a lot better during the draw with Man City, and the same goes for Gordon. He played up front, and it looks like Gordon will be striker again on Saturday against Everton. That is because Alexander Isak is still suffering from a toe injury.
For Gordon, he will be especially desperate to build on last weekend’s performance. He is returning to Goodison Park, a ground he called home for so long.
But his departure was far from harmonious, and Gordon was mocked by Everton fans during last season’s game on Merseyside.
The 23-year-old will be booed once again, but the hope will be that Gordon rises above it and inspires another strong Newcastle United display like he did last week against the Premier League champions.
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