Carragher calls Newcastle “flat and boring” after Everton defeat

Jamie Carragher described Newcastle as “flat and boring” after their defeat to Everton, saying Matthias Jaissle’s side could face a difficult season. Thierno Barry’s second-half goal secured a 1-0 win at St James’ Park and Everton’s first away victory in the Premier League this season, Sky Sports reports.

Newcastle have slipped to 13th and are only four points above the bottom three. They travel to Fulham on Saturday. Jaissle, appointed in August to replace Eddie Howe, had made an encouraging start, with entertaining draws against Liverpool and Bournemouth and a win over Tottenham in between. That early promise soon faded as Newcastle’s home struggles continued.

The league figures underline the contrasting positions. After nine matches, Everton are seventh on 13 points, with three wins, four draws and two defeats, scoring nine goals and conceding nine. Newcastle, also after nine games, are 13th on 11 points. They have three wins, two draws and four defeats, with 12 goals scored and 15 conceded. Across their last five Premier League games, both sides have won twice; Newcastle have lost three times, compared with Everton’s two, while Everton have also drawn once.

Carragher summed up his concern: “I think it is going to be a tough season for them.” He also argued that the league meeting mattered more to Newcastle than their Carabao Cup defeat to Everton the previous week, while Everton were desperate for a trophy. “But I fear a little bit for Newcastle, I think it could be a long, tough season,” he added.

The former defender criticised the lack of energy he had seen at home. “Watching them of late, especially at home, it feels flat and a little bit boring,” he said. He was also puzzled by the absence of the attacking, aggressive approach he associates with the Red Bull model, including the effort to bring the crowd into the game. Carragher had also voiced concerns about Newcastle’s performances and underlying numbers, even when results had been acceptable.

Their home run adds weight to that assessment. In 2026, no Premier League side has lost more home games than Newcastle, who have seven defeats. They have also gone 14 consecutive home games at St James’ Park without a clean sheet, their longest such run in league history. After the loss, Jaissle admitted: “Unfortunately we couldn’t deliver our style of play across the whole 90 minutes.”