Everton will feel fortunate to have escaped with a point last night, although they were much improved in the second half.
Relying on Jordan Pickford to keep them in it, who earned praise from Shay Given during the match, his heroics paid off late in the game as Dominic Calvert-Lewin finally ended his goal drought from the penalty spot.
It was hardly a vintage finish from 12 yards, but a goal is a goal, and now hopefully he can kick on.
However, with Newcastle United forcing the issue for the bulk of the game, there was bound to be a few holes formed in the Everton backline.
Joleon Lescott sought to outline one glaring example.
Joleon Lescott pinpoints Everton weakness
Well, speaking live on TNT Sports last night, the former Everton and Manchester City centre-back offered his expert outlook on what he felt the hosts were trying to do.
It was obviously no coincidence that all their attacks, especially at the start of the match, flowed down their left wing, where Ben Godfrey was deputising in his makeshift right-back role.
The £20m defender was terrorised, and his presence in the side was made even more frustrating given Seamus Coleman was fit.
He may well have scored an own goal to lose his side the match against AFC Bournemouth, but he did not play badly at all.
Eddie Howe clearly saw this change and made tactical shifts to exploit the lack of stability in that role, with Lescott noting: ‘I don’t know if it’s the game plan specifically but Newcastle have looked to isolate Godfrey down the right hand side.’
Sean Dyche must ditch Ben Godfrey vs Burnley
Having reverted to the former Norwich City man and in doing so displaced Coleman, Dyche will have to return with his tail between his legs this Saturday by surely swapping the two again.
After all, Godfrey provides a detrimental impact to his squad both offensively and defensively, completely blunting all attacks but often also getting caught out of position.
These are issued expected to occur when you play someone out of position, and yet the former Burnley boss has seen fit to do it for months now.
But, with a game as big as this weekend’s, he cannot afford to give the opposition any dog legs with which they can exploit.
His side must be solid, but also offer something going forward to get the Goodison Park crowd on their side. The potential dynamism that Coleman is far more likely to inject could prove pivotal in actually troubling Vincent Kompany’s side, who are hardly in sparkling form themselves.
That promises to be a nervous, cagey affair. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top.