We asked Dave Marshall to give us his match ratings and comments on individual Newcastle United players after Everton 3 Newcastle 1 in the Carabao Cup.

It was there for the taking.

The first of a home-and-away doubleheader four days apart with Everton, this one for a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, a date at a League Two squad who are just two points above the drop zone to non-league.

With the return a Premier League match at St. James’ Park on Monday, 2 November.

Yes, Fleetwood Town knocked out Premier League champs Arsenal on Tuesday, but Newcastle supporters thinking the chances of lightning striking twice wouldn’t be great.

Now, it’ll be Everton supporters thinking that.

Newcastle started brightly, with plenty of chances in the first half as Everton’s defence was all over the place. But not hitting the back of the net on any of them, something that would come back to haunt them.

Newcastle dominated possession and pressured double-Mackem Pickford much of the night but to no avail.

Despite Everton taking over a quarter of the match to find their footing, their commitment to defending their goal was a stark contrast to Newcastle’s.

Listening to Matthew Raisbeck and John Anderson on the radio commentary while watching on TV, it seemed like every decent United shot on goal was followed by, “It’s blocked by the defender.”

As shaky as Everton were at times in the defensive structure or organisation, the commitment to lay their bodies on the line to defend their goal was something to watch.

And it was missing from the United defenders for most of the night.

Yes, Newcastle had chances. Even a decent penalty shout that went unheeded. But the commitment to mark Everton on their counter, or to close down shots, or to throw themselves in front of shots, was mostly missing.

As a Newcastle United fan, seeing the opponent with more commitment to the cause is more than a concern. It’s unforgivable. That’s what United has always been famous for: commitment and effort. It’s not that the players gave no effort. But there was little commitment.

It got to a point that anytime United failed to put away a chance or even create a good one, you’d be forgiven for expecting the resulting counter to result in an Everton goal. Because the commitment to get back and shut down a Toffee attack wasn’t there.

United players and supporters may be correct in assessing referee Farai Hallam’s performance as subpar, especially on Barnes’s shout for a penalty. Yes, he was all over the place. Soft fouls given, other more obvious ones not given, no consistency on playing advantage, etc. In fact, radio analyst and former toon player Anderson kept asking if the ref had ever played football before, with Raisbeck answering that he swore he’d played for Stevenage

But that’s not an excuse for a lack of defensive commitment. Or for not playing to the whistle when the ref has given advantage for the first time all game to give up the second goal. Or for flubbing all the chances in front of the Everton goal.

All resulting in another multi-goal defeat on the road. United’s away form hasn’t improved under Matthias Jaissle.

And that’s worrisome.

Ratings for the Newcastle United players

Lukas Hornicek 4.5

Probably harsh given how much his defenders left him exposed but world class keepers find a way even when the defence lets them down.

Amar Dedic 3.5

His worst performance since landing here.

Paid the price for dawdling in the corner on the first goal and then an errant pass started the break for the third, with him compounding matters by not challenging Dewsbury-Hall on the assist.

Fabian Schar 4.5

Supplied support and had a couple of decent chances at goal but was subpar in front of the Newcastle goal. Didn’t close down Garner on the opener.

Dan Burn 5

Started well and got the consolation, but struggled for most of the night, as did the entire back line. Still not yet back to full fitness.

Lewis Hall 5

Not a bad game but still one of the few matches in recent memory that Hall wasn’t at his usual high level we’ve come to expect.

Nico Gonzalez 4

Started brightly but the latter half of the first half was not good.

Allowed Hackney to set up Garner for the first goal and along with his teammates, didn’t play to the whistle on Everton’s second.

Jacob Ramsey 3

Flubbed a couple of decent chances but had a hand in bad defending on the first two Everton goals, especially the second, when he was more concerned about telling the ref he didn’t foul Garner than marking Hackney or allowing him to race in for the second. Understandably hooked at the half.

Jacob Murphy 3

After several excellent crosses against Palace, only had one all night. Had no influence on the game. Probably should have been hooked earlier than 67’.

Joe Willock 4.5

Lots of running but nothing to show for it until assisting Burn’s late consolation. More commitment than some of his teammates, which isn’t saying a whole lot.

Harvey Barnes 5.5

Newcastle’s most dangerous player but failed to capitalise on his myriad of chances.

Could have had a penalty if VAR were being used. Not sure why he was hooked at half.

William Osula 4

Not much from Will following up his goal at Selhurst.

Several flubbed lines, only seven touches and was not much of a threat. Hope his knock isn’t too serious.

SUBS

Joelinton 5

Subbed on for Ramsey at HT, was his usual physical self but didn’t do much to right the ship.

Anthony Elanga 4.5

Subbed on for Barnes at HT but should have been for Murphy.

Had a few decent runs but otherwise invisible for much of his time on the pitch.

Yoane Wissa 4

Subbed on for Osula at HT, had no impact on the game.

Shaky first touch on a superb Willock pass resulted in a weak header that Pickford easily saved.

Bazoumana Toure 5

Subbed on for Murphy on 67’, looking lively and adding energy, but no real impact on the game.

Subbed on for Gonzalez on 82’, though the loud cheers that greeted him suggested that he should’ve been on the pitch earlier.