Eddie Howe: Newcastle face ‘big occasion’ against under-pressure Everton

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe is expecting Newcastle United to walk into the lion’s den when he takes his in-form Magpies to relegation-threatened Everton this evening.

Newcastle head to Goodison Park looking to get back to winning ways having seen a nine-game unbeaten Premier League run come to an end on Sunday, at the hands of world and European champions Chelsea.

And while points would be more than welcome for Howe’s team, they have been at a premium for Frank Lampard and Everton, who are outside the top flight relegation zone by only goal difference.

Howe said: “I’m sure it’ll be a very big occasion and we have to be fully prepared for what will be a really good atmosphere.

“I think there will be a lot of emotion in the game that we’ll need to handle ourselves and control our start to the game and try to impose ourselves as we have in this spell of away games. I’ve been really impressed with how we’ve conducted ourselves.

“It’s going to be a severe test because Everton have a really good squad of players and I really admire Frank and the work he’s doing so we’re going to have to be at our best.”

Many pundits have called this one a “must win” for the Toffees, who arguably have the hardest run-in of any of the Premier League’s bottom seven.

Howe, though, knows the big picture for Lampard & Co. will not be decided on Thursday evening.

“Every team has games to play and nothing will be decided on this game,” he said.

“We know it’s an important game for us and we’re not concerned about Everton and their situation. That is for Frank to discuss but for me we need to bounce back from the defeat against Chelsea although there (were) positives, we were disappointed to lose so it’s about getting a good reaction to that