Amazon Prime pundit delighted by Everton player mid-way through first half at Newcastle
Anthony Gordon produced some “terrific stuff” to track back and win possession for Everton in the first half at Newcastle, according to Andy Townsend.
The Toffees were matching the home side during a scruffy opening period when the young winger, restored to the line up after suspension, nicked the ball off Jacob Murphy down the Magpies left, before a bit of neat interplay with Conor Coady and Seamus Coleman saw the latter fouled as he started to counter.
Townsend was highly impressed by what he saw from Frank Lampard’s men at the time, but it was the home side who took the lead six minutes later when Miguel Almiron curled a lovely finish out of the reach of Jordan Pickford from outside the area.
Speaking live on the Amazon Prime match commentary on Wednesday night (19 October, 7.55pm) he said: “It’s excellent work there. Anthony Gordon, terrific stuff, tracking back and making sure he was the first one there to try and put a block in.
“And then some nice neat and tidy work at the back, they get the free kick and they have possession. With the ball they’ve been the better team so far, Everton.”
Unfortunate
This was always going to be a difficult proposition with Newcastle so strong at home this season, and that is exactly what it is proving to be.
The opening exchanges suggest there was enough to say the Toffees can get back into this one if one of their quick breaks are not halted by a foul and stays onside.
Before the opener it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who had gone closest of either side with a header from a corner, while Alex Iwobi and the main striker both ran clear but their runs needed to be timed better.
More possession in the midfield and calmness in defence would give the visitors a better platform to mount a comeback, but they will need the to score the next goal or this one could be out of reach.
An oddly bad-tempered first half saw some good work from Lampard’s men before they went behind, but multiple flashpoints suggest there could be a penalty or a sending off yet.
The referee will need to keep on top of things though so this one doesn’t get out of hand, and the hope will be that surprise starter Calvert-Lewin doesn’t suffer any set backs.