Chris Sutton anticipates that Everton will face a defeat against Newcastle United in the upcoming midweek clash, attributing it to the participation of Anthony Gordon. The Toffees are set to host Newcastle at Goodison Park on Thursday [7 December], aiming to capitalize on their weekend triumph over Nottingham Forest.
Gordon, who joined Newcastle in a £45 million deal in January, is poised to make his second return to Merseyside. Sutton, foreseeing a 2-1 victory for Newcastle, conveyed to BBC Sport [4 December], “This promises to be an exciting match between two teams fully committed to the game. Although Everton’s home performance has been less than stellar, their unwavering faith in Sean Dyche’s strategy is evident.”
Sutton continued, “While Newcastle’s cohesion under Eddie Howe is commendable, my prediction sways towards an away win. The presence of former Everton winger Anthony Gordon at Goodison Park gives me a hunch that he could be the game-changer.”
Highlighting the significance of the match, Sutton acknowledged the common occurrence of players returning to haunt their former clubs over the years. Gordon, who was a late substitute in Newcastle’s 4-1 victory at Goodison in April, is now a regular starter, having scored the winning goal against Manchester United in the previous weekend and boasting nine goal involvements in 13 league games this season.
Sutton emphasized that regardless of Gordon’s status as a former player, his impactful return could potentially influence the outcome. Despite Newcastle’s threats, Dyche is expected to have a strategic plan to counteract them, especially considering Everton’s numerous injuries, which may give the Toffees an advantageous position.
While Everton’s home form has been inconsistent this season, the fans are anticipated to rally behind the team in what promises to be another crucial contest.