Alan Shearer disagrees with ‘bizarre’ claim & makes ‘awful’ Newcastle United admission after £83m blow
Alan Shearer delivered a scathing critique of Newcastle United’s attacking performance following their goalless draw against Everton at Goodison Park. In what was their final visit to the historic stadium, Eddie Howe’s side failed to capitalize on their chances and were left to rue missed opportunities. The lack of clinical finishing in the final third was a significant talking point, especially with the absence of key strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.
Newcastle’s afternoon started with promise, as they controlled possession and frequently threatened Everton’s defense. Anthony Gordon was handed a golden opportunity to put the Magpies ahead in the first half when VAR awarded a penalty after Sandro Tonali was dragged down by James Tarkowski inside the box. Initially, referee Craig Pawson waved play on, but upon review, the decision was overturned. Gordon stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Everton’s Jordan Pickford pulled off a crucial save, denying his former teammate and preserving the stalemate. This missed penalty turned out to be a key moment in a match where Newcastle failed to convert numerous chances.
Reflecting on the game, Alan Shearer, who is regarded as a Newcastle legend, was blunt in his assessment of the team’s performance, particularly in their inability to turn possession into goals. Speaking on *Match of the Day*, Shearer didn’t hold back his frustration, lamenting the lack of quality up front.
“They were absolutely awful in the final third today,” Shearer said. “They played some really good football to get into dangerous areas, but their final ball, their decision-making, and their finishing were dreadful. You can’t play like that and expect to win, especially in a tight league like this.”
Shearer’s comments highlighted a growing concern about Newcastle’s attacking efficiency. Despite being one of the most dynamic teams in terms of build-up play, they have struggled in recent matches to convert their chances. The stats reflect this, with Newcastle’s attacking numbers looking surprisingly pedestrian for a team aiming for a top-four finish.
“Their attacking numbers are very mid-tableish for a team that should be pushing for the top,” Shearer added. “But the reality is they’re still sixth in the league, which shows they’ve managed to stay competitive despite these issues. The bigger problem is they’ve been missing both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, their two most reliable goal scorers. If they want to improve and compete with the best, they need Isak fit and in form. Without him, they’re simply not potent enough in front of goal.”
Newcastle’s struggles were compounded by the absence of their two key strikers. Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have been central to their attacking play throughout the season, but both have missed recent games due to injury. Their absence was glaring, with Newcastle lacking a cutting edge despite their dominance in midfield. Isak, in particular, has been a standout player since his arrival at the club, and his ability to break down defenses and finish chances has been missed. Without him, Newcastle’s attack looked blunt, and Shearer’s frustration was palpable as he highlighted how the team had let crucial points slip away.
On the other side of the pitch, Everton also had their moments. They came close to earning a penalty of their own when Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down in the second half after a challenge by Dan Burn. The Everton striker appeared to have been caught by Burn as he attempted to strike the ball, leading to strong appeals from the home side. However, referee Craig Pawson, after consulting with VAR, decided not to award a penalty, much to the dismay of Everton manager Sean Dyche.
Dyche, who has seen his side struggle for consistency this season, was left bewildered by the decision and expressed his frustration in his post-match interview. “I think it’s a bizarre one,” Dyche said, shaking his head. “Their penalty was given after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, but ours was much clearer. I can’t understand why they didn’t even look at it. It’s one of those moments where if it happens in the middle of the pitch, it’s a foul every time. So why isn’t it a penalty in the box?”
Dyche’s exasperation was evident as he continued to voice his grievances over Everton’s poor record when it comes to winning penalty decisions. “Our record for penalties is terrible. We don’t seem to get them, no matter what. If that foul happens anywhere else on the pitch, everyone in the stadium knows it’s a free kick. So why is it different when it happens in the box? It doesn’t make sense. Whenever we ask the powers that be for an explanation, they give us some technical reason, but to me, it just feels like we’re not getting the rub of the green.”
Dyche further lamented the inconsistent nature of penalty decisions in the Premier League, citing the tendency for weak penalties to be awarded while more obvious fouls, like the one on Calvert-Lewin, are ignored. “It’s like when you tap someone on the shoulder, and their legs buckle—it makes no sense. We can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to penalties, and it’s incredibly frustrating.”
Despite Dyche’s protests, Alan Shearer felt the right call was made regarding the Burn-Calvert-Lewin incident. In his analysis, Shearer explained that while there was contact, it wasn’t enough to warrant overturning the on-field decision.
“The only thing I would say on that one is that Dan Burn didn’t really attempt to make a tackle or get in Calvert-Lewin’s way,” Shearer remarked. “It’s actually Calvert-Lewin who kicks the back of Burn’s leg, which makes it a tough call. If the referee had given the penalty, I don’t think VAR would have overturned it, but since he didn’t, they weren’t going to change the decision either. For me, it wasn’t a penalty.”
In the end, Newcastle’s inability to break the deadlock left them with just a point, but it also raised serious questions about their attacking depth and finishing ability, particularly when their top strikers are unavailable. If they are to challenge for Champions League qualification, they will need to find a way to become more clinical in front of goal.
For Everton, the result offered some solace, especially considering their defensive resilience and Pickford’s heroics in goal. However, Dyche’s frustration with the refereeing decisions continued to dominate the post-match conversation. Both teams will likely feel they could have taken more from the game, but in the end, neither side did enough to secure all three points.