Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe believes his side dealt well with the conditions of facing Everton’s home crowd as he expressed his satisfaction over being able to bring on Anthony Gordon to make his Goodison Park return.
Howe said: “It was always going to be a really difficult game for us, I thought we handled the occasion really well. It was a hostile environment and the first goal was always going to be crucial.
“I thought the first 45 minutes was a bit bitty from both teams and a bit transitional for our liking but in the second half I thought you saw us at our very best and we were really clinical again in front of goal. I think confidence was there, it was evident in that second half when maybe a bit of the edge of the game had gone but I think we had to earn the right to get to that point because Everton put us under pressure with a lot of long balls and crosses in our box and I think we defended our goal really well in that first half.”
VERDICT: Everton fans left alone as cruelest truth of relegation fight exposed against Newcastle
IN PICTURES: Everton fans stage stunning welcome for team bus ahead of Newcastle game
YOUR SHOUT: Rate the players after Everton slip to heavy 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United
The Magpies boss, who was a boyhood Evertonian, added: “I think in any game you have to do the basics right, with goal-kicks, long free-kicks and crosses, I think we had to be perfect tonight because Everton would take advantage of us if we weren’t. Mentally I think we had to be really good and we learned from the game here last year which was very similar in terms of timing and conditions.
“I thought our first goal was our best move of the first half with the switch of play, right to left, Joelinton does really well and Callum is in the right place at the right time and our best moment of quality in the match up to that point. It had the desired affect for us because it just knocked the crowd slightly.”
Former Everton home-grown hero Gordon quit the Blues back in January when he completed a £45million switch to Tyneside. Although the England Under-21 international has not been a regular since his big move, Howe was pleased to be able to give him some playing time back at his old stamping ground having introduced him off the bench with just three minutes left to play.
He said: “I’m guessing it was difficult for him. I had a chat with him at length yesterday and he was confident he’d be able to handle the environment after speaking to him.
“I think it was a good time to bring him on, to almost get it out of the way for him really, it’s played, it’s done. At that stage the game was pretty much over but I think mentally it was a really good thing for him to deal with mentally and hopefully he’ll move on now and focus on his career for us.”
READ NEXT:
Everton player ratings as seven men abysmal on harrowing night against Newcastle
Everton face disgusting prospect that shames Farhad Moshiri takeover pledge
Everton's last five fixtures compared with relegation rivals after Newcastle nightmare
Everton investment latest as 777 Partners source responds to rumours
Everton warned they may face 'biggest financial jeopardy in world football'
