Newcastle United’s smooth start to the new Premier League season continued on Wednesday evening, as Eddie Howe’s side produced a dominant display against Everton at St James’ Park to leave themselves just two points off the Champions League places.
The Magpies – who have only lost once in the top flight so far this term – secured all three points as a result of another stunning effort from the in-form Miguel Almiron, with the Paraguayan midfielder netting his fifth league goal of the season in exquisite fashion.
On a night in which the visitors were restricted to just a solitary shot, it also proved another impressive performance for the northeast side’s defensive unit, having now conceded just nine goals in 11 games this term – the best record in the division at present.
Just days after keeping out Manchester United during Sunday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford, the Tynesiders again managed to walk away with a clean sheet yesterday evening, with summer signing Sven Botman having once again shown his undoubted class against Frank Lampard’s men.
The towering Dutchman – who arrived on a £35m deal from Lille in the recent window – is yet to taste defeat in his new surroundings, having again looked somewhat impenetrable alongside centre-back partner Fabian Schar on the night.
The 6 foot 4 colossus has made a “huge difference” to Newcastle already – in the words of journalist Josh Bunting – with that importance showing against the Toffees, as the 22-year-old notably recorded three clearances and two tackles, while also winning two of his three ground duels.
While the £31.5m-rated ace did lose possession on 11 occasions, that was seemingly a result of his willingness to get his side moving up the pitch, having also recorded two key passes as a sign of his ball-playing quality.
That showing unsurprisingly saw the new arrival – who is bizarrely still yet to be capped at senior level for his country – record a strong match rating of 7.2, as per SofaScore, with it clear to see the growing influence he is having on a side that shipped 62 goals last term, the sixth-worst record in the league.
It had been a notable coup at the time to be able to bring the one-time Ajax man to England – amid hefty interest from AC Milan – with it already appearing a real masterstroke for Howe and co, as Botman has shown himself to be a “leader”, while “his reading of the game is so advanced”, according to the aforementioned Bunting.
If such displays are to continue, then European qualification could well be a very real possibility for the Magpies this season.