3. Defend Narrow, Strength Through The Middle
Everton are a very narrow side, their only real wide attacking outlet is left-back Leighton Baines. Hopefully his attacking desires (his average position was ahead of the half way line in all 3 games so far this season and 46% of Evertons attacking against Villa took place down the left) can be nullified by the threat of Newcastles star man Hatem Ben Arfa. If Baines does get the upper hand then Newcastles replacement right-back (either Perch, Anita or Santon, who could swap from his preferred berth on the left) could be in for a difficult time. The fact that Everton love to attack down their left hand side so often should play into Davide Santons hands; the Italian is notoriously attack-minded and, shorn of his defensive duties, should be able to cause Phil Neville serious headaches at right back (a battle of pace versus experience). Santon could become one of Newcastles main attacking outlets if Steven Naismith is deployed at right midfield, the former Rangers man likes to come narrow and help out the midfield leaving yet more space for Newcastles left back to charge into. A tactic that worked very well for West Brom was to flood the midfield and allow Everton to attack down the wings and even cross the ball knowing that their centre backs could handle what little aerial ability Nikica Jelavic possesses. With Santon bombing down the left Jonas Gutierrez should show a more defensive modus operandi and be willing not only to cover for the Italian but also defend narrow, perhaps even marking Naismith should the Scot drift inside.