A look at the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Tuesday, 15 March.
Everton team news as Calvert-Lewin remains a doubt for Newcastle clash
Everton could be without five first-team players for Thursday’s crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle United. While the Magpies face an injury crisis of their own, the pressure is off at Goodison Park as an impressive run of form gives them a nine-point cushion between themselves and the bottom three.
However, the heat has cranked up a notch on Merseyside as eight defeats in their last nine games means only goal difference is keeping the Toffees above the drop zone. Frank Lampard faces a tense wait to see whether star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin can feature.
The England striker missed last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Wolves with an illness and the Everton boss simply said “we will see” when asked whether he will play against Newcastle. Getting the 24-year-old fit and scoring goals is imperative to the Toffees' survival hopes. Calvert-Lewin has only made nine top-flight appearances in 2021/22, with a fractured toe ruling him out for the first half of the season.
How Eddie Howe's Newcastle United record compares with mid-season change rivals
It is safe to say that Eddie Howe has done a terrific job since taking over at Newcastle United in November. The 44-year-old replaced Steve Bruce in the dugout with the Magpies without a win from their opening 11 matches.
However, Howe has completely revolutionised the mood around the club and the Magpies seemingly look like staying in the Premier League given their recent form. They currently sit 14th, nine points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final 10 matches.
A factor behind the Magpies' up-turn in fortunes is how well they managed to recruit in the January transfer window. Chris Wood, Matt Targett, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes Kieran Trippier made the move to Tyneside in the winter market and have all played a major impact in the Magpies' recent positive results.
Howe has received plenty of praise for his man-management and bedding these players into the squad in the right way and signing the right bodies for the task at hand. During his time at Newcastle, Howe has recorded a 38% win record, having earned seven victories from his 18 games in charge.
But how does this compared to the success of the managers who also took over midway through the season? Four other coaches have been at the helm for at least eight games at their respective clubs, while Jesse Marsch is the only new manager that hasn't been included on this list.
Full transcript as Simon Jordan delivers surprise Eddie Howe verdict on Newcastle Saudi questions
Simon Jordan believes Eddie Howe should have answered questions over mass executions in Saudi Arabia differently. However, the talkSPORT presenter has defended the Newcastle United head coach and questioned the value in interrogating a football manager on the subject.
Howe insisted he would 'stick to football' in the aftermath of Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Chelsea, despite being pressed on the subjected on several occasions. It is a stance the former Bournemouth boss has stuck to since his appointment at St James' Park in November.
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have called upon Howe to follow the example of Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel in responding to questions of this nature, and this was a view echoed by talkSPORT presenter Jim White. Jordan took a different view though, and highlighted 'hypocrisy' and 'virtue-signalling' in a number of the accusations that have since been levelled against the Newcastle boss.
'He will be a bit nervous' - Ian Wright on Harry Kane's challenge Alan Shearer's goals landmark
Harry Kane has hit a rich vein of goalscoring form after a poor first half of the season according to his high standards. The Tottenham striker has long been seen as the only player with a real chance of catching up with Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer in the Premier League goalscoring charts.
The St James' Park favourite tops the rankings on 260 Premier League goals, whilst the Spurs striker is sixth on 176 goals. Discussing Kane's recent form, Ian Wright said that he felt Kane might not win any trophies in his career or even topple Shearer as record goalscorer but that the Geordie would be 'nervous' about Kane taking his record.
"Harry Kane in that mood is frightening," Wright said on his podcast ' Wrighty's House '. "If he can get a medal for England, I’m happy. I will back him to the end."
Coming on to the goalscoring record, Wright said: "He can catch Rooney, I don’t think he can catch Shearer." However, Wright felt Shearer would be wary of Kane as one of the few players who might threaten his record in the long-term. "Deep down, [Shearer] will be a bit nervous."
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