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Wednesday night takeaways: Newcastle and McLaren helpless at Goodison and Chelsea can't get going

Everton put a nice sheen on the scoreline in the last few minutes of their tie Newcastle with the...



Wednesday night takeaways: New...
Soccer

Wednesday night takeaways: Newcastle and McLaren helpless at Goodison and Chelsea can't get going

Everton put a nice sheen on the scoreline in the last few minutes of their tie Newcastle with the help of two penalties from Ross Barkley while Chelsea huffed and puffed without being able to beat the resurgent Heurlho Gomes in Watford's goal.

Here is what we learned from the games:

Newcastle showing no signs of life

With the transfer window now firmly behind us, it was a chance to see at least one of Newcastle's new signings in action against Everton. Andros Townsend started and finished the game but had little impact on how the match was settled. That job fell to another former Spurs winger as Aaron Lennon opened the scoring before being pulled down by Jamaal Lascelles inside the penalty area.

Dispatching that penalty was Ross Barkley and he would go on to do it from the spot again just minutes later when Jamaal Lascelles, yet again, committed a foul inside the penalty area. 

Newcastle are in dire condition and time is running out on Steve McLaren after he was handed plenty of money in the transfer market to turn things around on Tyneside. As glad as he will be of the new players, the added pressure might not be as welcome and while he did not have had the services of new signing Seydou Doumbia against the Toffees, there is little to suggest that this Newcastle is worthy of staying in the Premier League.

Everton, who have been hapless themselves in recent weeks, looked like world beaters as they hit the post on several occasions and hit Newcastle for three without conceding a single goal. They are tough times in the north-east of England and McLaren needs to inspire these men before he gets shown the door and the Toon Army are battling from promotion in the Championship.

Chelsea can't get a run going as Watford hold firm

Chelsea will be glad that they kept hold of Eden Hazard during the winter transfer market along with Diego Costa and a few others but Guus Hiddink still doesn't seem to know just what kind of Chelsea team will show up on any given week. 

Not to take away from Watford's achievements this season or their ability to challenge even the most formidable opponents but they took the game to Chelsea in the first half and were unlucky not to have had a penalty or two. That's not acceptable when you consider the talent in Chelsea's squad. 

John Terry has kicked up somewhat of a fuss with the subject of his contract renewal and it appears this Chelsea team have taken their eye off the ball. They are not entirely safe from relegation, although it does appear a remote and unlikely possibility, but they will need to get a decent run of games to catapult them up the table to ease nerves as the latter part of the season comes into view. 

They still have not won back to back games in the Premier League this season and will need to improve to convince some of their better players to stick around beyond the summer and in order to entice a top manager when Hiddink leaves his post at the end of the year.

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