Match Report Everton had Jordan Pickford to thank for the point they ground out against Newcastle United after he saved Anthony Gordon’s first-half penalty in front of the Gwladys Street End. England’s No.1 star earned his first clean sheet of the Premier League campaign when he guessed the right way to deny the former Blues winger after James Tarkowski had inexplicably hauled Sandro Tonali the ground and, having reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor, referee Craig Pawson awarded a spot-kick. Everton rode their luck for much of the contest and were worryingly ineffective going forward but they had strong shouts for a penalty of their own when Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down under the attentions of Dan Burn while Idrissa Gueye somehow spurned the chance to make the debate academic by skying over when it seemed easier to hit the target. With both Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko missing through injury, it was Sean Dyche’s defence that was the cause for the most concern coming into this game but while Michael Keane almost dropped a clanger in the seventh minute and Tarkowski had a particularly poor first half, it was the huge spaces given up in midfield that were often the greater concern. Orel Mangala and Abdoulaye Doucouré continued their partnership in the middle of the park with Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam on the bench but they often struggled to shore up the areas in front of the defence but James Garner deserved credit for an impressive performance out of position at right-back. Pickford was called into action fairly early on when Keane under-cooked a backwards header that called for the keeper to rush out of his box and clear ahead of Gordon while Dyche’s men came within inches of conceding from Newcastle’s first corner of the game at the same point in the contest that Marc Guehi had put Crystal Palace ahead last week. Calvert-Lewin connected with the dead-ball delivery from Newcastle’s left and it dropped to Bruno Guimaraes in space on the other side of the penalty area but Iliman Ndiaye got a crucial touch with the inside of his leg to divert the Brazilian’s shot along the goal-line and behind to safety. Everton’s first foray forward of note saw Ashley Young arc a lovely ball down the line into the channel for Calvert-Lewin who chased it down, cut inside his man and despatched a low shot that Nick Pope gathered fairly comfortably while Pickford gathered in similar fashion from Jacob Murphy at the other end. Goodison erupted a minute later, however, as Doucouré leapt to meet a wonderful delivery from Garner and steer it into the far corner of the goal but the celebrations were doused by a check by Video Assistant Referee, Chris Kavanagh, who correctly ruled that the Frenchman was offside. From then until half-time, it was all Newcastle and after Murphy had missed the far post with a curling effort, the Magpies were eventually awarded a penalty thanks to Tarkowski brainlessly wrestling Tonali to the floor in retaliation for the Italian grabbing his own shirt. Gordon made the decision to take the penalty in front of the home end and the moment got to him as he despatched a poorly-struck kick that Pickford blocked with his thigh and behind for a corner to the delight of the Gwladys Street. The Scouser had drawn the ire of Goodison by flopping to the turf to sell cheap free-kicks to Pawson throughout the first period but he almost served the opening goal up for Joelinton in first-half stoppage time but the latter knocked the ball over the crossbar from close range. The second half brought little change to the pattern of play, with Everton ceding around 70% of possession, offering precious little going forward and living dangerously at the back. Tarkowski made a terrific block at the start of the second half to charge down a goal-bound shot from Tonali, the completely unmarked Guimaraes scooped Joelinton’s cut-back over the bar and substitute Miguel Almiron’s cross from the byline had to be bundled behind by Pickford after it had taken a deflection off Keane. Meanwhile, Gueye, a 57th-minute introduction for Mangala, ballooned Doucouré’s square pass into the stand from outside the box, a miss that was nothing compared to what would follow midway through the second period. In what was probably Everton’s best passage of play all afternoon, an uncharacteristically off-colour Dwight McNeil slipped Calvert-Lewin in near the penalty spot. He took a touch and swivelled a shot that Pope did well to save one-handed but as Calvert-Lewin went to convert the rebound, he appeared to kick the standing leg of Burn who had stepped across him and went down while Gueye somehow banged the loose ball over. Dyche was incredulous that no penalty was awarded and slow-motion video replays show that Burn actually caught Calvert-Lewin's foot first, but play continued and Almiron went close not long afterwards when his shot flashed past the post having glanced off Tarkowski. Gordon then had a chance to atone for his penalty miss and win it when the Paraguayan slipped him in behind the Everton defence. Thankfully, though, he belted his strike over from the angle and Joelinton hammered a 90th-minute chance past the post. Everton had their own chance to steal the points when Ndiaye floated a cross from the right and Doucouré ducked out the way but McNeil made a mess of the volley and the chance was lost while Garner wasted the last opportunity of the game when his ambitious direct free-kick attempt sailed well over the bar. Under the circumstances, this was a hard-earned point that should be gratefully received against a good side that caused the Blues problems all afternoon, particularly with the speed with which they looked to move the ball through midfield. Everton’s lack of guile and invention, the long spells where Calvert-Lewin and Ndiaye felt isolated in their respective roles, and a general inability to pick up second balls, something that is central to Dyche’s very one-dimensional way of playing, was frustrating. However, the result represented a third successive game without defeat and the hope is that Branthwaite, at least, will be fit again for the trip to Ipswich on the other side of the international break. Lyndon Lloyd top Matchday Updates Doucouré had a goal ruled out for marginal offside before Goodison Park revelled in Anthony Gordon's penalty miss in this stalemate against Newcastle United. Jarrad Branthwaite is missing from Everton's back line again this weekend after suffering a minor thigh problem in training. Vitalii Mykolenko is also out injured but no starting place for Roman Dixon as Sean Dyche bafflingly names two goalkeepers on the bench again. Seamus Coleman is still ruled out, along with Broja and Chermiti, while Nathan Patterson continues his quest for improved match fitness after playing the full 90 minutes for Everton U21s in their 4-2 defeat at Wolves last night. The Blues kicked off and were mounting an attack until Tonali stole a foul by cheating. Everton defended until Ndiaye was fouled, and Pickford's free-kick cleared. Keane almost put Pickford in trouble with a weak backheader. Calvert-Lewin was lively but offside. Newcastle's first corner was somehow kept out by Ndiaye with an incredible backheel off the goalline! Gordon went down very easily and was roundly booed. Calvert-Lewin got a chance to run the ball at Pope only to shoot weakly straight at him. Then, out of nothing, a fantastic cross from Garner was headed in by Doucoure, only for it to be ruled out: offside. At the other end, Gordon spun Doucoure but his cutback was easily blocked. Garner went down winded after a challenge on Barnes but was ignored until McNeil was fouled. Gordon evaded Keane but again his centre was defended well. Everton tried to mount an attack but Harrison could not deliver the ball and when it did come in, Pope was out quickly to ensnare it. A Newcastle corner was curled wide by Murphy as Tarkowski hurled Tonali to the ground. VAR deliberation and Pawson reviewing the monitor before the inevitable decision: Penalty to Newcastle — but Gordon denied brilliantly by Pickford!!! (Strangely no yellow card for Tarkowski.) Everton had to defend the ensuing corner but everyone was now hyped up. Another Newcastle corner was punched out by Pickford, Joelinton volleying high and wide. Calvert-Lewin laid the ball off nicely to McNeil but he didn't have the pace to beat Burn. McNeil tried to stop Guimares, who dived to win the free-kick. Joelinton danced past Tarkowski only to be stopped by an excellent tackle from Keane. Another run a goal was stopped this time by Young after Mangala had stuck with him. Ndiaye couldn't beat three defenders. Gordon thankfully headed backwards when he looked likely to score. Everton had done well to contain the Barcodes who attacked repeatedly in the first half but could not leverage their advantage. Only the disallowed goal showing any real threat in the other direction. The relentless Newcastle attacks resumed after the break, Gordon crossing to the far post and Joelinton's centre stopped by Doucoure. Everton had to work very hard all over the field, the press being of limited effect against Newcastle's pace. Joelinton danced past Mangala and it was put behind for a corner that Pickford came out for but missed. Ndiaye tried a run but was easily stopped by Trippier. McNeil tried his long-range shot; well off-target. Harrison put in a deep cross for Calvert-Lewin but it flew beyond him. Another Gordon-inspired attack ended with Guimarães scoping his shot over, as Gana replaced Mangala. Everton tried to attack through Ndiaye but Calvert-Lewin surrendered the ball very cheaply. When they did finally get forward, it was time for Gana's usually dreadful attempt on goal: high, wide and horrible. Pickford wasted a free-kick, swung wide right and out of play on the bounce. Newcastle attacked again, this time a cross came off Keane and Pickford for a corner that was then cleared off the line. A brilliant ball through to Calvert-Lewin should have been a goal but Calvert-Lewin's shot was parried back by Pope, Burn clearly impeding Calvert-Lewin to stop him shooting in the rebound that was then blasted over by Gana… But incredibly no penalty, says VAR, with Calvert-Lewin deemed to have kicked the defender in the act of trying to shoot at goal. McNeil again shot wide from distance. Then Almiron lashed his shoot into the side netting. The 10th Newcastle corner was headed well clear by Calvert-Lewin but Gana could not propel it forward. Joelinton looked to sail past Garner whose sliding tackle was made superbly. Gordon got through yet again but he blazed his shot over the bar. At the other end, Doucoure put McNeil off and he completely mishit the volley. Everton were getting more of the ball but their players were all wrong, Calvert-Lewin working space to cross to where he himself should have been! There were more nervy moments at the back for Everton as Pockford had to parry a low cross, then Almiron messed up his shot. Joelinton fired another shot well wide as 4 minutes were added. Schär saw yellow for bringing down Calvert-Lewin 25 yards out, a free-kick wastefully punted over the bar by Garner to end a largely disappointing encounter. Everton: Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, McNeil [Y:44'], Mangala (57' Gana), Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye, Harrison (68' Iroegbunam), Doucoure, Young, Garner. Subs not Used: Virginia, Begovic, Beto, O’Brien, Lindstrøm, Armstrong, Dixon. Newcastle Utd: Pope, Hall [Y:84'] , Burn, Schär [Y:90+3'], Trippier (71' Livramento), Joelinton, Guimarães, Tonali (71' Longstaff), Barnes (62' Almirón), Gordon, Murphy (69' Willock). Subs not Used: Kelly. Krafth , Osula, Ruddy, Vlachodimos. Referee: Craig PawsonVAR: Chris Kavanagh Attendance: 39,265 Michael Kenrick top Match Preview Everton are back at Goodison Park for a late-afternoon Saturday kick-off against Newcastle United hoping to establish some momentum having picked up their first win of the Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace last weekend. Dwight McNeil’s second-half brace lifted the Blues over the Eagles after Marc Guehi had given Oliver Glasner’s side a 10th-minute lead but they face an altogether more difficult proposition in the Magpies. And the headline news ahead of the game is that Jarrad Branthwaite could be missing from Everton's back line again this weekend after suffering a minor thigh problem in training. The defender made his much-anticipated return to the starting line-up against Palace but could miss out against Newcastle if he doesn't recover in time for the evening kick-off on Saturday. If he doesn't make it, Michael Keane would be the likely candidate to step back into the line-up given Sean Dyche’s selection preference in central defence so far, with Branthwaite then targeting the trip to Ipswich on the other side of the international break to return once again to action. Seamus Coleman is still ruled out and won't travel for international duty with the Republic of Ireland but he will be assessed over the upcoming break as he continues to "get stronger" in Dyche's words following the injury he sustained playing against England last month. Dyche said in his pre-match press conference that the approach with Nathan Patterson "is just common sense now" after he came through another hour with the Under-21s earlier this week. The Scot is making a patient recovery from a serious hamstring tear in April and the surgery required to repair it, with Dyche saying that he is making good progress and now needs "a game programme" as his next step before he can be regarded as match ready. Meanwhile, Armando Broja took another step of his own towards returning to action when he began light training this week. The Albanian international arrived on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day with an Achilles problem and was not expected to play again before the end of October at the earliest. Branthwaite’s absence would force the manager into at least one change to the team he named to face Palace but it’s likely he will switch personnel wide on the right following Jesper Lindstrøm’s struggles in the first half last Saturday. The Dane was substituted at half-time and replaced by Jack Harrison whose greater experience of the league was evident and he weighed in with a wonderful assist for McNeil’s winning goal in the 54th minute. Harrison is probably a shoo-in to reclaim his role in that part of the pitch but Dyche was asked how Lindstrøm had reacted to being hooked at the halfway stage and he replied: “He’s fine. It can happen. He had a below-par first half but all these players are adapting. I’ve said [that[ of all these players we have brought in — none of them have played in the Premier League regularly so they’re adapting to the challenges of it. “Finding that in-game consistency, which I’ve spoken about endlessly — it’s not just about week-to-week consistency — during the game, staying true to the cause. “Say, if you’re a talented player, which I think he is technically with the ball at his feet, and if it’s not your day to be good at that then you’ve got to do the team job. And if both are not operating as well then sometimes it needs a change. “It’s all about him learning what the Premier League is about [and] there’s certainly no question marks other than learn, move forward, and we get ready again.” In central midfield, meanwhile, Dyche has a decision to make over which pairing to go with given that he has five fit players all vying for two places. Abdoulaye Doucouré and Orel Mangala were deployed against Palace, with the former not as effective last weekend as he was at Leicester the week before, whereas Idrissa Gueye and James Garner are now match-ready, as is Tim Iroegbunam who hasn’t started since the defeat to Aston Villa in the middle of last month. Newcastle travel buoyed by a good start to 2024-25 and an impressive 1-1 draw with Manchester City last weekend but key injuries up front mean that Eddie Howe may need to use Anthony Gordon as a makeshift striker again. The ex-Everton winger scored from the spot against City after earning a controversial penalty at St James’s Park and it looks as though he will be asked to lead the line again with Callum Wilson ruled out and Alexander Isak only in with an outside chance of being able to overcome a toe injury. Defenders Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman plus midfielder Lewis Miley are also unavailable, Matt Targett is a significant doubt but Kieran Trippier could be passed fit to play. With Everton having ceded so much of the initiative and space to Crystal Palace last time out, Dyche will need to ensure that his midfield tightens up for this one, particularly against the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. The other key concern (apart from Craig Pawson refereeing a fixture he almost ruined for Everton 18 months ago by sending Allan off), especially if Branthwaite misses out, is set-piece defending which has become Everton’s own Achilles heel lately. With the likes of Dan Burn in their side, it could be a weakness Newcastle deliberately seek to exploit, that along with a lack of pace at the back should it be a partnership between Keane and James Tarkowski. It does feel as though Branthwaite’s availability is key. Without him, victory seems a tough ask based on the first five games and would be something to celebrate so the Blues might consider a hard-earned point heading into the international break a good result. Kick-off: 5:30 pm, Saturday 5 October 2024Referee: Craig PawsonVAR: Chris KavanaghLast Time: Everton 3 - 0 Newcastle United Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Young, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gueye, Mangala, Harrison, Ndiaye, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin Lyndon Lloyd top * Unfortunately, we cannot control other sites' content policies and therefore cannot guarantee that links to external reports will remain active.