Everton manager Sean Dyche has played down Newcastle’s injury problems but said there are “question marks” over their thrilling 4-3 comeback win to beat West Ham at home on Saturday.
The Toffees are the next visitors to arrive at St James’ Park on Tuesday, when their opponents will be missing Jamaal Lascelles and could be without Tino Livramento and Miguel Almiron after all three were injured during the victory over the Hammers.
Anthony Gordon, who joined Newcastle from Everton for £45 million in January 2023, will be suspended and the likes of Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Joelinton have been long-term absentees for Eddie Howe’s side.
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“There was a lot of noise about their injuries but I keep looking at their team and it looks pretty decent to me,” said Dyche, who oversaw Everton’s late 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth shortly after Newcastle’s dramatic triumph.
“They look pretty handy whenever I see them. They’ve generated a good squad by putting a lot of finance into it and being well managed and coached.”
Newcastle fell two goals behind when Jarrod Bowen scored three minutes after the restart but recovered through Alexander Isak’s 77th-minute penalty and two Harvey Barnes goal in eight minutes, the winner coming seconds into added time.
“The crowd weren’t enamoured with being 3-1 down, so there are still question marks there,” suggested Dyche.
“But generally they’ve seen a lot of good stuff, so fair play – why wouldn’t they support that?
“We’ve got a pretty experienced group with a few learning as they go, but we expect to go up there and deliver a performance.”
Looking towards #NEWEVE 💬
— Everton (@Everton) APRIL 1, 2024
Everton worst run ‘meaningless’ to Dyche
Dyche said he is “absolutely not” contemplating the prospect of Everton breaking their club-record winless run – stretching back to 1994 – by going 13 games without victory if they fail to prevail.
“It’s always a season’s work,” he said. “Runs come and go… I’ve had good runs, indifferent runs and record-breaking runs.
“I won’t bother you about all the records I’ve had; it doesn’t mean anything. The end product of promotions, staying up, going to Europe – that means something, not the runs in between. A negative run doesn’t mean anything to me.”
Everton last collected three points at Burnley on December 16. They are three points above the relegation zone with a game in hand on the three immediate teams below them.
