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.
VAR REVIEW: CHELSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH, ESTêVãO PENALTY DRAMA EXPLAINED! WAS IT A FOUL OR A DIVE
Explaining the VAR: How an 11th-minute penalty check at Stamford Bridge saved a point for Chelsea against a resilient Bournemouth.
Every week, the Video Assistant Referee stirs up drama in the Premier League. Let's break down how these calls are made and if they're actually right.
This season, we're digging into the big moments to explain the VAR process and the rules of the game.
What went down: Chelsea's Estêvão was moving into the Bournemouth box, with Antoine Semenyo on his tail. Estêvão went down after some contact with Semenyo. The ref, Barrott, waved off Chelsea's penalty shouts, saying there wasn't a foul. He thought both players made contact naturally as they were running, and Estêvão basically tripped himself.
VAR said, "After looking at it, VAR Pawson suggested Barrott take another look at the monitor for a possible penalty because Semenyo might have tripped Estêvão."
VAR's take: Pawson had to figure out if the contact was just part of the play, like the ref thought, or if Semenyo fouled Estêvão. It was clear Estêvão tripped, but the question was how the contact started.
At first glance, it would be hard for Pawson to disagree with the ref because the main TV angle wasn't clear. But after checking out the sideline and behind views, Pawson saw that Semenyo stepped into Estêvão's path, making enough contact with his leg to cause him to trip.
Pawson told Barrott to check the monitor for a possible penalty. Barrott watched the replays, agreed, and gave Chelsea the penalty.
The call: It was a reasonable VAR call based on today's standards. But it's a borderline case.
Barrott seemed unsure of the monitor and needed some convincing from different angles.
A lot of the time, this kind of contact is just from players running normally, and someone goes down. To give a penalty, there really needs to be a clear foul by the defender. You could say that happened here, but it's a pretty low standard for VAR to get involved.
Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth
Referee: Sam Barrott
VAR: Craig Pawson
What: VAR check for a foul in the box
When: 11th minute
BREAKING: UNAI EMERY REVEALS THE REAL REASON BEHIND HIS COLD ARTETA HANDSHAKE SNUB NOW
Unai Emery explains why he skipped the post-match handshake as Arsenal’s 4-1 win ends Aston Villa’s 11-game streak at the Emirates.
Unai Emery said he didn't shake Mikel Arteta's hand right after Aston Villa lost at the Emirates Stadium since the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.
This loss stopped Villa's winning streak at 11 games, their first in almost two months.
Villa held their own in the first half, but Arsenal scored early in the second when Gabriel got to the ball before Emi Martinez on a corner.
Martin Zubimendi quickly made it 2-0, and Leandro Trossard scored a third goal a little after an hour had passed.
Soon after entering the pitch, Gabriel Jesus scored, making it 4-0. Ollie Watkins was able to respond by tapping in a goal late in the game after Donyell Malen's nice play.
After the game, Emery waited to shake Arteta's hand, but he went to the locker room since Arteta was still celebrating with his team.
It’s easy to see. I like to do things fast,” Emery said when asked about why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.
“I shake hands, then I go to the dressing room with my players and coaches. I was waiting.
“Arteta was busy with his coaches, so I went inside. It’s not a big deal for me.”
About the match, Emery commented, “We played great in the first half, and things were going our way. We had corners and defended well. We didn’t let them get a corner in the first half.
“We felt good, but we let in the first goal in the second half. Onana getting hurt didn’t help since he’s important for set pieces and in the midfield.
“We didn’t quit, and we kept playing hard. We scored one goal and almost scored more. Arsenal is the best team in the league and should win the title.
“I’m not sure which day it is since we’ve played Arsenal twice already, and we still have to play Nottingham. But I’m happy with our goals and how we're trying to attain them.