‘They made it easy for Newcastle’ – Leon Osman blasts Everton after 2-0 defeat
BT Sport pundit Leon Osman said that Everton ‘made it easy’ for Newcastle in their 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.
Two late goals from Callum Wilson were enough to take all three points from the game, as the Toffees failed to win at home again for the second time in a week.
Speaking on BT Sprot 1, Osman said Carlo Ancelotti’s side played too narrow during the game and didn’t get wide enough.
“I expected to see Everton really dominate possession, play in the right areas, get the ball wide, really utilise the quality they usually have in those areas,” Osman said.
“But they didn’t, they kept stifling themselves by playing central passes and if anything they made it easy for Newcastle.
“Everton didn’t want to stretch themselves, they’ve been playing with four centre backs and playing narrow.
“Today, with the attacking full-backs coming in, they didn’t play wide against a stubborn Newcastle team who are used to defending.
“Everton had a poor performance, it’ll be one that Ancelotti will certainly want to get out the system as soon as possible and move on”.
Tactical switches not working out
It was a torrid afternoon for Ancelotti and Everton. Despite having 69% of the possession and 11 attempts at goal they were unable to cause any real problems for a struggling Newcastle side.
Everton haven’t started a game with both Coleman and Digne playing full-back since October 17 in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Since then, Ancelotti has changed between a back three or had Holgate and Godfrey, two natural centre-halves, playing as fullbacks. The tactical switch had brought some much-needed stability to the Toffees backline.
Despite bringing the full-backs back into the side, Everton were unable to use them properly to cause any harm to Newcastle.
Perhaps this is due to playing so narrowly in recent months, but it’s something Ancelotti will have to look at if he is to use both Coleman and Digne more effectively going forward.
In other Everton news, is this striker finally set to exit Goodison Park?