Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin didn’t vindicate Frank Lampard team selection v Newcastle
It was further disappointment for Frank Lampard as Everton suffered another Premier League defeat, this time at the hands of Newcastle United.
A first-half strike from Miguel Almiron was enough for Eddie Howe’s side to continue their fine start to the season and condemn the Toffees to a third successive defeat.
Since Alex Iwobi’s first-half strike against Manchester United, Everton have failed to hit the back of the net and looked devoid of ideas against Howe’s defensively strong Newcastle side.
In fact, Everton looked more dangerous against Tottenham in their last fixture, where they probably should’ve gone in with a halftime lead. The stark reality is that the changes Lampard made at St James’ Park didn’t improve the Toffees in an attacking sense at all.
Lampard’s men mustered one shot which was off-target compared to Newcastle’s 16 shots. It’s simply not good enough in an attacking sense and if Lampard can’t turn it around, fingers will be pointing his way.
The decision to start Calvert-Lewin didn’t pay off for the Everton boss, with the 25-year-old failing to make an impact going forward, along with Anthony Gordon who was also included in the starting eleven.
Everton were more effective in a three-at-the-back formation, looking to sit deep and break at pace, with their wider players really making an impact.
Neal Maupay has started life well in an Everton shirt and is probably more in form than Calvert-Lewin at the moment. It was a risk for Lampard to drop him along with Dwight McNeil and it hasn’t paid off for the Everton boss.
The Toffees’ next game against Crystal Palace is simply a must-win for Lampard to prevent his side’s good start to the season from dissipating rapidly.