5 Tactics For Newcastle United To Beat Everton

2. Neutralize Fellaini

Although he€™s been putting in impressive performances ever since he signed for Everton in 2008, Fellaini really put himself on the map with an utterly dominant performance against Manchester United in both club€™s first game of the season. The Belgian completely ruled the midfield, combining aerial power with terrific ground strength as he single-handedly terrorized the Red Devils. Fellaini is a true box-to-box-midfielder; capable of playing in front of the defence, in the centre of the park, as an attacking midfielder and, at times against United, almost as a second striker. Where he plays against Newcastle on Monday night will dictate how best for Pardew to handle the marauding midfielder. In Everton€™s 2-0 loss to West Brom he played a more withdrawn role than he had in the two opening fixtures and, despite Everton having great success down both flanks, seemed loathe to get himself into the box and attack the ball, something he excels at. Because he€™s second-to-none at receiving the aerial ball West Brom instead decided to stand off him and hoover up all the second balls which bounced off him, a tactic which limited Fellaini€™s effect on the game. Newcastle centre backs should stand-off and not over-commit to the challenge, which would leave space in behind for Jelavic to exploit. Fellaini, for all his talents, isn€™t known for dissecting the defence with a through ball; he€™s more akin to a battering ram than anything else.