Everton 0 Newcastle 0: Gordon misses a penalty in a heated game – but a welcome clean sheet

Anthony Gordon missed a penalty in Newcastle United's 0-0 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

After the home side had a header from Abdoulaye Doucoure ruled out for offside, Gordon went for the penalty when James Tarkowski foolishly knocked Sandro Tonali to the ground just before a ball was played into the box.

However, the former Everton player's tame kick was parried by Jordan Pickford, leaving Newcastle with a point and moving up to sixth in the Premier League table, while their opponents remained in 16th.

Here, Chris Waugh and Jacob Whitehead analyze the game's key talking points.

Not so noticeable, Gordon

Gordon was always going to be the focus of this story.

For Newcastle, he is currently having to act as an emergency striker instead of continuing in his preferred position on the left wing due to Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson's toe and hamstring injuries.

After leading the team well against Manchester City last weekend – winning and scoring a penalty – he terrorized Everton's defense in the first half. By the 42nd minute he had completed 15 sprints, more than twice as many as anyone else on the field, and was constantly looking to catch up.

(Video below for UK readers)

“The reaction is as if Everton had scored a last-minute winner.” 😨

What a save from Jordan Pickford, who saves Anthony Gordon's penalty ❌ pic.twitter.com/BbzClXaexq

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 5, 2024

(Video below for US readers)

Jordan Pickford DENIES Anthony Gordon from the spot and Goodison Park erupts! ❌

📺 NBC & Peacock | #EVENEW pic.twitter.com/kiILguT6E4

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 5, 2024

The problem? Although Gordon's unorthodox centre-forward play disrupted Everton's defensive line and was fouled four times in 45 minutes, it also meant Newcastle had no central point of attack. The 23-year-old often found himself in dangerous positions and had no one to cross to.

He also redirected a point-blank header back across goal towards Joelinton rather than aiming it at goal when Jacob Murphy sent in a delicious cross just before half-time. As threatening as Gordon is, he is not a natural penalty area striker like Wilson, nor is he as experienced at center forward as Isak.

When Sandro Tonali was aggressively thrown to the ground by James Tarkowski in the penalty area in the 31st minute and referee Craig Pawson belatedly awarded the penalty after VAR intervened, Gordon immediately grabbed the ball. He grinned at the Everton defenders tried to deter him, but after taking the penalty he spoke so confidently about after the Manchester City game, his penalty was poorly taken, allowing Jordan Pickford to parry the shot with his legs.

The moment was greeted with loud cheers at Goodison Park as Gordon, a player who left in controversial circumstances, was the culprit. In hindsight, Fabian Schar, who scored a penalty against AFC Wimbledon in midweek, perhaps should have taken it, but Gordon never let the opportunity pass him by.

But as difficult as Gordon made things difficult for the Everton defenders, the penalty was his only shot in the first half. Then, in the 81st minute, Miguel Almiron Gordon played clean on goal, but his shot went over the bar rather than testing Pickford.

Had Wilson or Isak been on the pitch, Newcastle would certainly have been out of sight.

Chris Waugh

Crappy scenes

Goodison Park experienced a heated game with both teams lacking composure in possession.

Remember, these are two of the most direct teams in the league – Everton play the highest percentage of strikers in the division (43.1 percent), while Newcastle are third (38.4 percent).

In Everton's case, this is due to their rejection of building up from the back – they want to win second balls in midfield or play in transition. Midfield pairing Abdoulaye Doucoure and Orel Mangala are chosen for their presence off the ball, not their ability to control possession.

Despite being the first choice midfield, Newcastle still lack the balance that Eddie Howe discussed after the defeat to Fulham.

(Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

While Bruno Guimaraes provides control, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali (above) are more dynamos than dictators of the game. With Joelinton given a new long-term contract in April and Tonali arriving last summer with a club-record three players, this is a situation that the club has embraced.

In the coming months, the return of Sven Botman from a long-term knee injury will aid Newcastle's ability to build play from deep.

In the short term, however, this led to a first half in which Newcastle's best chances came from a set piece and an ill-advised off-ball penalty – and passages where Everton gave Newcastle the ball only for the visitors to struggle with what to do with it .

Jacob Whitehead

A clean slate on the road

Newcastle could – and should – have won this game. Everton were there, Newcastle had more than enough shots (14) and countless opportunities to secure their second away win of the season.

While this may feel like a loss of two points, it also felt like a step forward away from home, especially compared to their last away performance. Last month's modest 3-1 defeat at Fulham was one of the worst performances of the Howe era and provided further evidence that Newcastle on the road are a very different team to the team that was a confident one at St James' Park can show a balance sheet.

At Goodison Park, Newcastle dominated with 68 percent of possession and territory. Their decision-making in the final third proved poor but apart from a great Nick Pope stop from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a disallowed goal from Abdoulaye Doucour, Newcastle never seemed to be looking for a clean sheet.

Only the second clean sheet in 20 Premier League away games – the last away game was at Fulham on April 6 – is extremely significant, regardless of how weak the opponents were in attack. Everton only managed 12 touches of the ball in the opposition penalty area. At the same time, Newcastle had scored 42 goals in the Everton area.

Newcastle are still looking for consistency and fluid possession on their travels, but resilience and defensive discipline are crucial to achieving positive away results. It's just a start, but it's an encouraging sign.

Chris Waugh

What's next for Newcastle?

Saturday, October 19th: Brighton (Home), Premier League, 3pm UK, 10am ET

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(Photo: Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))