David Moyes reveals exactly what ‘surprised’ him in Everton defeat vs Newcastle
Everton’s inconsistent Premier League form continued over the weekend as they were beaten heavily by Newcastle United.
Newcastle ran out 4-1 winners over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with a Malick Thiaw brace and goals from Lewis Miley and Nick Woltemade leaving the Toffees shellshocked.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall managed to net a late consolation for David Moyes’ side, but it did little to disguise the ugly manner of the defeat.
Everton dropped below Newcastle in the Premier League table as a result of the loss and now sit 14th on 18 points.
David Moyes highlights Everton’s problem vs Newcastle
After Everton beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford last week, despite being reduced to 10 men early in the contest, many Toffees fans would’ve been confident going into the game against Newcastle.
However, the performance could not have been more different to five days earlier, with the Magpies able to break through Moyes’ side with apparent ease.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of a midweek trip to Bournemouth, Moyes was asked whether he was surprised by the display against Newcastle.
He said: “It did surprise me. I think for long periods we played really well. We played so well with the ball, passed it well, kept the ball and tried to do the right things.”
The Scottish manager was also clearly unhappy with the quality of Everton’s defending: “In the elements where we needed to be physical, set pieces and three of the goals came from first or second phase set pieces. We lacked physicality in that game, that is for sure.”
Everton face big test against Bournemouth
Just three days after their defeat to Newcastle, Everton face Bournemouth on the south coast on 2 December, as they look to get back to winning ways.
Andoni Iraola’s side have not won in their last four games, picking up just one point in that time, but will still prove to be a stern test for the Toffees.
In the Premier League, Bournemouth are yet to lose at the Vitality Stadium so far this season, and they will hope to continue that trend against Everton.
Moyes’ side will have to be far more solid defensively than they were at the weekend if they want to get anything out of the long trip down south.
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