Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Everton v Newcastle
By Tyne-Talk
May 11 2008
Everton host Newcastle United today in their season finale knowing that just 1 point will see them finish in 5th place, giving them their 3rd European qualification in 4 years. David Moyes has reconfirmed his position at the club this week, boosting the fans and players by committing himself past the end of the season, despite there being no contract in place.
Everton head into the match with a record number of points under their belt. They have achieved 62 points this season, their highest accumulation of points ever in the premier league.
Everton | Newcastle | |
37 | Played | 37 |
62 | Points | 43 |
18 | Won | 11 |
8 | Drawn | 10 |
11 | Lost | 16 |
52 | Goals Scored | 44 |
32 | Goals Conceded | 62 |
Newcastle travel with 3 wins, 2 draws and a defeat against Chelsea from their last 6 games whilst Everton have taken just 1 win, 2 draws and defeats against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal from their last 6.
Everton hit-man, Yakubu goes into the game their top scorer with 19 goals this season; despite his goals, his side have only kept 1 clean sheet in the last 8, but only conceded 10 goals in the 17 games they have played in 2008, matched only by Chelsea.
If Newcastle lose today at Goodison Park and Wigan win at home against Manchester United, Wigan will overtake Newcastle in the Premier League table. With a goal difference of -18 there is no chance of Newcastle creeping into 11th spot even if they win due to Tottenham's goal difference of +7. They play today for 12th.
Everton will miss Mikel Arteta after he travelled to Spain for a stomach operation. Aside of that Moyes is likely to play the same side that lost to Arsenal last weekend. He has no further injury worries.
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan will not risk Shay Given who is recovering from a groin operation or James Milner who still hasn't recovered from the foot injury which as kept him out for the past 2 months. Viduka will miss out after coming off against Chelsea on Monday suffering from a reoccurring Achilles injury which is likely to see him sidelined for up to 6 months after surgery.
Emre has been given permission to join his International side early in preparation for Turkey's Euro 2008 finals campaign, whilst Joey Barton is suspended from playing and attending at Everton due to bail conditions which also saw him miss out at Anfield earlier in the season.
Neither Stephen Carr nor Peter Ramage feature in the squad with both set to leave Newcastle United in the coming weeks.
Teams
Everton:
Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville (c), Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman, Yakubu, Manuel Fernandes, Lee Carsley, Victor Anichebe
Subs:
Leighton Baines, Thomas Gravesen, Daniel Gosling, Stefan Wessels, Jack Rodwell
Newcastle United:
Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Steve Taylor, Abdoulaye Faye, Nicky Butt, Charles N'Zogbia, Damien Duff, Alan Smith, Michael Owen (c), Alan Smith, Andy Carroll
Subs:
Fraser Forster, Claudio Cacapa, Peter Ramage, Ben Tozer, Kazenga LuaLua
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:05:11:16:30:48 by CNDShearerFan16.
