Newcastle United supporters left St. James’ Park stunned on Tuesday evening as The Magpies unexpectedly couldn’t secure victory against Everton, dealing a setback to Eddie Howe’s aspirations of European qualification this season.
In the recent match against Everton, Newcastle dominated the first half, creating several scoring opportunities and heading into halftime, as well as the final 10 minutes, with a 1-0 lead courtesy of another goal from Alexander Isak.
However, injuries have been a persistent issue throughout the season, leading to Paul Dummett being substituted onto the field for Newcastle. Unfortunately, Dummett’s entry into the game resulted in a penalty being conceded after he fouled Ashley Young in the penalty area. Dom Calvert-Lewin successfully converted the ensuing penalty kick for Everton.
Alan Shearer shares his thoughts on Newcastle’s chances of securing European qualification.
The competition for European qualification is heating up, with the top spots crucially linked to Champions League and Europa League football. The FA Cup winners are also assured of a Europa League spot. However, with Manchester City leading the pack, the race could extend to the seventh position. Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win further complicates matters. Hence, teams vying for the seventh and eighth spots are likely to secure European berths next season. Despite Newcastle currently occupying the eighth spot, football icon Alan Shearer believes they face an uphill battle, especially considering their injury concerns.
Newcastle’s comprehensive injury roster is truly remarkable…
Newcastle is grappling with the absence of 12 key senior players. Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are sidelined with ACL injuries, while Sandro Tonali remains suspended. Although Nick Pope has been out for an extended period, his return appears imminent.
Callum Wilson and Joelinton have both undergone surgery, further depleting the squad. Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento, Miguel Almiron, Kieran Trippier, and Matty Targett are also unavailable. Additionally, Anthony Gordon’s suspension adds to the team’s woes for the upcoming fixture.
Despite their significant injury setbacks, Newcastle’s misfortune has extended beyond the pitch, as they were eliminated from the Champions League despite putting up a commendable performance. However, there may be a silver lining with European berths potentially trickling down to the seventh and eighth positions.
Manager Eddie Howe faces the challenge of managing expectations amid the team’s injury crisis. Concerns have been raised by Sam Allardyce regarding the possibility of blame being attributed to Howe, while Tony Pulis has advocated for patience and continuity, emphasizing Howe’s deserving of another season at St. James’ Park.