Everton suffered their third straight Premier League defeat as they were beaten 1-0 away to Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
The Blues were hoping to bounce back after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. That defeat came after a loss to Manchester United six days before.
But Miguel Almiron’s superb, looping long-range shot was the difference between the two sides. The goal came after 30 minutes at St. James' Park.
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After a promising start to the season, this was a third consecutive defeat for Frank Lampard's side, and below is how the national media and the ECHO’s Joe Thomas reported on the game.
'A side with limitations'
Martin Hardy of The Times wrote: “Frank Lampard’s Everton never looked like matching the result of their neighbours. Indeed, there was not even a shot on target from the visiting side in the whole game. Newcastle’s lead came in the 31st minute and encapsulated much of what their first-half display had been about — quick passing, desire and clever team play.”
Before he added: “Everton were marginally better in the second half, but the cutting edge never materialised. That there was not a shot on target in the entire game from Lampard’s side said much about their situation. He has made them more resilient, but it is a side with limitations.”
'Another dark away day'
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail wrote: “But for Everton, another dark away day, a 16th loss in 23 on the road. Frank Lampard was relatively pleased with their performance. That was as baffling as his team’s reluctance to shoot, not a single shot on target all night. It is also now three defeats on the spin.
“They were beaten by Miguel Almiron’s super, first-half strike, and it never looked like the hosts would need anything more.”
Before he added: “Interestingly, in a bid to improve at the other end of the park, Newcastle made enquiries for Everton forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anthony Gordon during the summer.
“On both occasions they were put off by the asking price. On this evidence, they are unlikely to return in January.
“Calvert-Lewin lasted 73 minutes on his first start of the season but did little to strengthen his ever-weakening claims for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.”
'Lampard had barely calmed down'
Louise Taylor of the Guardian wrote: “Pickford’s teammates initially looked to be under instructions to sit deep and endeavour to hit Newcastle on the break. This dictated that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, making his first start of the season since recovering from a troublesome knee injury acquired on the eve of the campaign, needed to be patient – and willing to track back.”
Before she added: “Lampard had barely calmed down after protesting that his latest goal should not have stood due to a foul in the build up when Guimarães very nearly doubled Newcastle’s advantage after connecting with a Kieran Trippier cross.”
'They sit a point above the bottom three'
Alistair Magowan of BBC Sport wrote: “After a promising start to the season, this was a third consecutive defeat for Frank Lampard's side, who have also lost against Tottenham and Manchester United.
“They sit a point above the bottom three, but will hope for a more encouraging result at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be thankful Calvert-Lewin completed 73 minutes without further problems.”
'This side lacks firepower'
Joe Thomas of the ECHO wrote: “Three defeats in three games have delivered a harsh reality check to Everton but the clearest lesson has been what many have suspected for months - this side lacks firepower.
“In the aftermath of the miserable defeat to Minnesota United, at the height of pre-season, Frank Lampard himself alluded to that being his biggest problem as he highlighted his need for re-enforcements going forward, particularly in the wake of Richarlison's sale. Everton went on to enjoy a positive transfer window but, even with the addition of Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil, doubts about the strength of Everton's frontline lingered.
“The loss of Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a freak knee injury on the eve of the campaign only served to worsen the issue and, for so long, Everton fans have approached every pre-match press conference desperate for news of his return. That came at St James' Park, the 11th game of the Premier League season, and it is a welcome boost for a side in desperate need of a clinical edge. Lampard will hope, with justification, that form will follow fitness and the 25-year-old can fire the Blues to a comfortable season.”
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