Angus is an experienced football journalist at Football FanCast, specialising in Premier League reporting, opinion writing and in-depth football analysis. Since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, he has developed extensive experience covering the English game, producing thousands of articles across a wide range of clubs and competitions.  

Before joining Football FanCast, Angus led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, gaining valuable experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership. He subsequently joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's academy, now part of Valnet, and has progressed into the publication's Opinions and Features team.
 

As one of Football FanCast's longest-serving writers, Angus has covered numerous major developments across the Premier League, combining breaking news experience with detailed features and considered opinions. His work draws on years of reporting to provide context behind performances, transfer activity and the wider issues shaping English football.

Newcastle United have vengeance on their mind after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening. Everton travel to St. James' Park on Monday night, and Matthias Jaissle's side need a result.

It's been a testing period for the Magpies, but a win over Everton would take them level with sixth-place Brentford, exorcising the Halloween demons which plagued Newcastle during their hollow Carabao Cup exit.

The 2025 Carabao Cup winners were put through the wringer this summer, their superstar power torn away. In attack, it's been rather toothless, with Newcastle missing Anthony Gordon after his £69m summer move to Barcelona.

Why Newcastle are missing Anthony Gordon

The issue, of course, is that Newcastle sold Gordon this summer and failed to replace him with a forward already primed for a focal role in the Premier League.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo joined the Toon for over £50m this summer, but he is struggling to produce the goods thus far, yet to score, assist or produce effective performances at the front of Jaissle's system.

It would not be hard to apply a degree of revisionism onto Gordon's time with the Toon; the Three Lions winger only scored six goals across each of his final two Premier League seasons, ebbing and flowing all the way.

But he's still one of the most talented wingers out there, Newcastle's Player of the Year in 2023/24 and now thriving with La Liga favourites Barcelona.

Against Everton this evening, Newcastle could really do with the Toffees' former starboy, but he's not on the books anymore, and Jaissle will still have to find a way to get a tune out of this struggling group of players.

Newcastle team news vs Everton

Newcastle aren't doing all that badly in the Premier League, and an emphatic win over Everton would drive Jaissle's side up into exciting territory.

However, Jaissle needs to get more out of his attackers, and Fernandez-Pardo may well be absent once again as he recovers from illness.

The forwards are indeed misfiring. Adding salt onto the wounds inflicted by Everton in the Carabao Cup, Newcastle may not have William Osula at the ready after the 23-year-old striker came off after twisting his ankle. Between them, Yoane Wissa and Fernandez-Pardo have just the one goal this term.

Asking for someone like prime Alexander Isak may be too much for the Tynesiders, but Jaissle does have a Gordon-esque winger he can call upon who has not earned the minutes he perhaps deserves so far this year.

Newcastle must unleash their new Anthony Gordon

Newcastle have only won one of their four Premier League matches at St. James' Park in 2026/27, and that needs to change against Everton.

Jaissle might not have Gordon to call upon, but he does have the club's new version in Bazoumana Toure - and the £43m summer signing from Hoffenheim must be desperate to finally earn his first Premier League start.

During last weekend's big win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, the 20-year-old must have been frustrated to have been left on the bench, but he impressed across a brief cameo in the Carabao Cup in midweek, replacing the frustrating Jacob Murphy and completing two dribbles, winning two duels and creating a chance across 23 minutes of action.

The versatile winger is fast and fearless. Yes, there's a rawness to his game that has left Jaissle unconvinced in his ability to take centre-stage at this maiden stage of his career, but with fluency lacking on Tyneside right now, perhaps unleashing him from the start would be a smart move. After all, Murphy and Harvey Barnes aren't exactly playing with gusto.

Predominantly featuring on the left wing at this point of his career, Toure can catch the eye on either side, innately creative and fast enough to drive the ball into dangerous positions and create for his goalscoring teammates. He also has two goals already in black and white.

Something needs to change. An Everton win in the north east on Monday would leave more than a sour taste in Newcastle mouths, and Toure could be the difference-maker needed to ensure Newcastle start to knock on the door of European contention in the Premier League.