JACK GREALISH PRESSURE: DAVID MOYES NEEDS GOALS AFTER GUEYE RED CARD FAIL
David Moyes calls on Jack Grealish to score more for Everton. Get the full team news as the Toffees face a midfield crisis against Newcastle United. Preview inside.
David Moyes wants more from one of his key players as Everton gets ready to play Newcastle United in the Premier League.
After a memorable 1-0 win away at Manchester United—their first victory at Old Trafford since December 2013—the Toffees play the Magpies at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal in a match where Idrissa Gana Gueye was sent off for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane. But thanks to some great work from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Everton was able to hold on for the win.
Moyes is asking for more from Jack Grealish.
Grealish was taken off near the end after a quiet game, where he didn't create any chances or take any shots.
Still, Grealish has made Everton better in attack. He's tied for the most assists in the Premier League (4) and is third in chances created (24), with only Jeremy Doku (27) and Bruno Fernandes (31) ahead of him. Despite all that, the England player has only scored one goal since joining Everton on loan from Manchester City.
Moyes is happy with Grealish’s assists, but he wants the winger to score more goals for a team that has only scored 13 times in the Premier League this season.
I think he can get better. I would be lying if I said I was happy. I want him to score more goals. "I need him to score more," Moyes said at his press conference. If he keeps getting assists, then it's OK, but I think goals are more important. We've been really happy with him. He's helped the team a lot.
He's probably played more games this year than he did last year. He's doing well. He's getting better physically, and we want to keep him in the best shape.
Everton team updates for the Newcastle United game
Gueye has been given a three-match ban after being sent off for hitting Keane—Pickford had to pull them apart. Moyes said Everton appealed the ban right away, but the FA rejected it without giving a reason. We appealed the red card, and our appeal was rejected, Moyes said. We weren't told why it was rejected, but we did appeal it.
So, Everton might not have many players in midfield, as Merlin Rohl is out after a hernia operation.
"Yes, we are," Moyes said when asked if Everton needed midfield support. Merlin's operation has left us short, but we have other players who can play there—Charly Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil, if we need to. I think those players can do the job if needed. Merlin probably won't be back until the start of January, and Idrissa's suspension leaves us short in that area.”
Also, veteran defender and captain Seamus Coleman is out with a minor hamstring injury, and Nathan Patterson isn't ready to return after an injury. Jarrad Branthwaite will also be out until mid-January with a hamstring injury.
CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF
Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.
Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.
His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.
Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.
Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.
Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.
AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE
Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.