Tough test at St James' Park for the Blues

By Chris Kirwan
November 29 2002

The task facing the Blues on Sunday is a tough one, and will be a stern test of the winning streak. But under Moyes you never know what the Blues will achieve, and come Sunday night we could above the rabble from across the park.

The Blues came away victorious when the clubs met in the Worthington Cup, but the side that Everton will face on Sunday will be an entirely different proposition altogether. The Magpies will be eager to get their midweek defeat out of their system, and Craig Bellamy will be most keen of the lot. It’s one of the toughest fixtures in the Premiership calender and as Moyes put it,

"They are a good side and a dangerous animal at the moment after the midweek result. They will probably feel that they were a little bit hard done to in one of the biggest games in their history.

"That makes them a dangerous animal to face. It's a hard enough game going up there at the best of times, never mind when they are feeling a little bit wounded like now."

St James’ isn’t an easy place to go at any time, but with the Blues’ confidence high anything can happen, after all who would have put money on a victory at Elland Road? And if you’re going to win the league you’ve got to go and get results at tough places!!

Team News:
Everton - The only possible change would be Pembridge returning from his calf problem in place of Naysmith. I thought that the Blues missed the ginger midfield maestro against WBA, and lost some of their threat from set pieces because of his absense. Steve Watson, who scored in the League cup victory, may miss a return to his favourite club because of a calf injury picked up while playing for the reserves against Villa.

Newcastle - The only good thing from Newcastle's point of view that came out of their midweek thumping by Inter Milan was that Craig Bellamy’s show of petulance will have kept him fresh for this weekend, and the Blues will have to be wary as he has a lot to make up for. Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer and Hugo Viana are both fit while Shola Ameobi is expected to shake off an ankle strain.

Match Odds: Newcastle…Evens, Draw…21/10, Everton…12/5 (odds from Blue Square)