Newcastle United: Three keys to defeating Everton

Newcastle United aim to extend their winning streak to five matches when they play Everton at Goodison Park on Monday.

After earning their fourth straight victory last weekend against Arsenal, Newcastle will look to maintain their winning ways against Everton. Although the Magpies have found success against elite opponents this season, Rafa Benitez’s men will be tested by the Toffees.

Newcastle are currently riding a high wave of confidence, while Everton are dealing with some managerial drama as they search for consistency. Everton are currently ninth in the table with 42 points from 34 matches. Newcastle are only one spot and one point behind Everton with one less match played.

Landing a spot in the Europa League is impossible for both sides, but they still have a lot to play for. Sam Allardyce needs his men to earn a positive result to save his job. Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez needs his Magpies to climb the table to attract more transfer targets this summer. It should be a close affair, but here are three keys for Newcastle to defeat Everton on Monday.

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Perez-Slimani Duo

It is safe to assume that Islam Slimani’s time to start matches for Newcastle has arrived. The situation with Dwight Gayle is frustrating because he could have a tally of 15 goals this season, but he struggles with precision. Fortunately, Ayoze Perez has made up for the club’s scoring woes up top with three goals in three successive matches.

It is important for Perez and Slimani to develop chemistry up top. In the limited time they have spent together on the pitch, Newcastle looked like a more dangerous side. In fact, Newcastle have scored goals on both occasions that Perez and Slimani shared the pitch.

With Perez playing as an attacking midfielder and Slimani as the striker, the biggest focal point for the duo will be spacing. As long as both players designate their areas around the penalty area, Newcastle will spread the defense and create more passing lanes near the goal.

Isolate Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott

Wayne Rooney is the most popular name on Everton’s roster, but the key to success on Monday is centered on shutting down Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott. Tosun is a pure finisher and Walcott is one of the fastest players in Europe.

Isolating Tosun up top and Walcott on the wing would place more pressure on an aging Rooney to perform. The lack of coordination between Tosun, Rooney and Walcott would significantly disrupt Everton’s attacking rhythm.

While it is important to place more emphasis on Tosun and Walcott, it is equally important for the Magpies not to underestimate Rooney. The 32-year-old striker has scored 10 goals in 29 appearances this season. It will be important for Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune to mark him closely, but isolating Tosun and Walcott will certainly hinder Rooney’s impact.

Minimize Set Pieces

Teams managed by Sam Allardyce are known for not having a true attacking flow when they play. Even when the Toffees do attack, only 33 percent of their shots have been on target. Newcastle’s back-line will be difficult to break down and it is for this reason that Newcastle must be wary of set pieces.

It is unfortunate seeing teams dominate matches defensively only to see their hard work wasted by conceding a goal from a set piece. The quality of Everton’s strikers is impressive, and when they are huddled together on a free kick they have a high probability of scoring.

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Newcastle must take preemptive measures against Everton on Monday. The Magpies must avoid conceding multiple corner kicks and cannot make ill-advised tackles within 30 yards of the goal. In the instance that Newcastle cannot prevent such actions, the Magpies must mark runners as tight as possible.