Everton did not set the world alight on Tuesday, but on the road, against a side of Newcastle United’s quality, a point is certainly a point.
Not only that, but given Nottingham Forest’s win and Burnley’s draw, it was an important result which keeps them in the position of most strength going into the final seven or eight games left of the season.
Burnley is up next, as the first of a string of easier fixtures that they will be expected to win.
And, that aforementioned draw is certain to have aided them in their efforts to build confidence and hopefully earn another result.
Chris Sutton lauds Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Newcastle United goal
Speaking on his podcast, the Daily Mail’s It’s All Kicking Off, Chris Sutton was full of praise for one Everton man’s exploits in their midweek draw with Newcastle United.
Although there were few who covered themselves in glory in what was a pretty underwhelming match, with Jordan Pickford the standout, there was another who deserved plaudits for his calmness in such a high-pressure moment.
And this has seemingly inspired the former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker to make the following relegation prediction.
Sutton noted: ‘There’s been so much happen this season, and of course those performances… you know it does fall on Sean Dyche whether he likes it or not.
‘But, having said all that, with what has gone on this season at Everton, the turbulence which there has been on and off the field, they’re still going to be alright. They still will stay in the Premier League as far as I can see.
‘And the equalising goal against Newcastle, Calvert-Lewin, we’ve spoken about him many times this season, about not quite finding his form. That felt pretty big and all things being equal, the main thing from Everton’s perspective is staying in the Premier League.’
Everton need to use the midweek result as a springboard
Whilst it was not a win, and actually extended their winless run in the Premier League to 13 games, there has been far more positivity emerge from Tuesday’s game than many in recent months.
After all, at times they have impressed but fallen to defeat. Then, on other occasions, they have been poor and rightfully been punished for it.
However, on this occasion, they were simply average, and grinding out results in tough places like St James’ Park when you are playing average is the sign of a team still willing to fight for their manager, and still capable of avoiding relegation.
Perhaps, with perhaps one of their easiest tasks of the season (on paper!!!) just around the corner, they can translate this positivity into some much-needed confidence, and use their 1-1 on Tyneside as a springboard to achieve that safety.