Newcastle manager Eddie Howe defends Kieran Trippier after double blunder in Everton loss

Eddie Howe has defended Kieran Trippier after mistakes by the full-back led to two goals in Newcastle United's 3-0 defeat at Everton on Thursday night.

The England defender has been in superb form playing virtually every minute of Newcastle's Premier League and Champions League campaign this season but had a night to forget at Goodison Park.

With the score goalless heading into the final 10 minutes, a poor touch from Trippier gifted possession to Dwight McNeil who then charged forward before firing home in style.

The 33-year-old again lost possession minutes later which ended with Jack Harrison's cross finding Abdoulaye Doucoure who side-footed home.

Summer signing Beto then ran clear - after a 29-pass move - during 10 minutes of stoppage time before sliding in his first league goal for Everton to complete the scoring.

The victory dragged Everton – who were dropped into the relegation zone after being deducted 10 points for breaking Premier League financial rules – out of the bottom three.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have now been beaten five times this season, the same number as number of games they lost in the entire 2022-23 campaign.

It also means they have still only won one game away from home this season and sit seventh in the table, with 21 out of their 26 points having been gained at St James' Park.

Newcastle's next game is also away, this time at fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Manager Eddie Howe refused to blame Trippier after their latest defeat, insisting the whole team was off the pace.

“Kieran has been absolutely magnificent since he signed, the catalyst for a lot that happened,” said Howe, whose team are seventh in the table, four points behind Manchester City in fourth. “Collectively we were off our