Newcastle star admits Toon must be more clinical in Champions League return bid
Newcastle fired a blank at struggling Everton as Anthony Gordon missed a penalty on his return to Goodison Park and teammate Harvey Barnes knows his side need to find their scoring boots
by Chris McKenna · The MirrorIf Newcastle are to return to the Champions League then these are the games they must be winning.
Not just because they were facing a relegation-threatened side in Everton but also because of the chances they created. Eddie Howe’s side had 14 attempts but only three were on target, including Anthony Gordon’s missed first-half penalty.
Their xG was over 2, bumped up by that saved spot kick of course. This was no doubt two points dropped for the Magpies than one gained.
Maybe one better than their 3-0 defeat here last season but still, if they’re to be serious contenders for a place among Europe’s elite again then they should be taking three points.
“We know when we get opportunities we need to take them,” said winger Harvey Barnes. “For sure being clinical is part of that and to win games you need to be clinical.
“The top teams do it, they’re so efficient in the final third and it is something we will keep working on and keep trying to bridge that gap.”
Gordon saw a first-half penalty well saved by Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford while Joelinton was wasteful in the box on more than one occasion here on what was a very important point for Everton and Sean Dyche.
Howe’s side couldn’t convert their time on the ball into better chances, either.
It would be easy to point to the absence of Alexander Isak, who is out with a broken toe but soon to return, and Callum Wilson, sidelined with a back injury as to why Newcastle aren’t ruthless.
“It changes the way we set up for sure when you’ve not got a natural No 9 up there,” said Barnes. “I thought Ant did well but there but it is not his natural position.
“The team operates a bit differently and maybe in them final actions that natural instinct of a No 9 can make it happen. I think today we still created some good chances but were just not clinical.”
Yet Isak has only missed this game and last weekend’s draw with Manchester City. Still, with the centre-forward they’ve only managed to win their three games they have won this season by a one-goal margin.
In the nine games they have played so far in all competitions, they’ve only scored more than once against Tottenham and Wolves.
Howe’s side will return from the international break with an inevitable run. Brighton at home is followed by back-to-back games with Chelsea in the league and Carabao Cup before the visit of Arsenal.
“I don’t think it’s a problem [lack of goals],” said Barnes. “It’s just something we are working on week on week.
“Last year we had a lot of games when we were scoring a lot of goals which is great but our aim every game is to win, whether that’s by one goal or five.
“It’s the points that matter. Of course we would like to be scoring four or five goals every week but it’s not feasible.”
They have managed to collect 12 points from their opening seven games but Barnes is aware of the challenge that faces them to break into the top four again this season.
“I think we are in a good place,” he said. "Other teams have strengthened, we’ve strengthened. It’s going to be a good battle, we know that.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world and if you want to get in the top places you’re going to have to play well all season. We’re ready for that battle.”
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