Everton have the opportunity to open up a gap between themselves and the relegation zone when they welcome Newcastle United to Goodison Park on Thursday night.
The Toffees currently sit equal with Watford on 22 points, their lowest tally at this stage of the season in the club’s historyEverton in lowest goal scoring form since 7th place finish in 2011/12.
However, they have avoided being placed in the bottom three outright due to their superior goal difference of -19. Still, that doesn’t prevent the growing danger of their first relegation from the Premier League.
This match is one of the club’s games in hand. The Merseyside club have played one less than Burnley and three less than every other side in the bottom five. Simply put, this is one they can ill-afford to lose.
That is easier said than done, however, in this story of two mid-season managerial changes that have had polar-opposite impacts.
Upon Eddie Howe’s November appointment, the Magpies trailed Everton by 10 points. Now, they sit nine ahead.
The Toon had won six and drawn twice in 2022 before a last-minute defeat to Chelsea last weekend.
Unable to stop Everton’s woes, Frank Lampard has only managed to pick up three points since his January appointment.
They have also failed to score in any of their last four Premier League matches.
Defeat would be a fourth consecutive loss to Newcastle too, with the last time happened being 1955. That being said, if survival is the goal, then that isn’t a feasible option for Lampard’s men.
(Featured Image- MerseySportLive, Jack Kinsella)
