Everton - Newcastle United: Can the Magpies break their Goodison curse?

After a strong transfer window Newcastle will be looking to climb out of the relegation zone.

Everton - Newcastle United: Can the Magpies break their Goodison curse?
Tom Cleverley scored the only goal the last time these sides met (Photo source: Chronicle live)
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By Aaron Stokes

Both Everton and Newcastle United will be looking for a win after a successful transfer window for both clubs. Newcastle brought in four players and fans seem to be happy that their underachieving squad has been strengthened.

The facts and figures

Everton have the history books on their side for this clash. Newcastle have only won once at Goodison Park since 2001 and that victory came back in 2010. Also, Everton have only lost one of their last eight meetings with the Magpies.

Newcastle have conceded seven league goals from outside the box this season, which is a league high. This is likely to fill Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley with confidence due to their ability to strike from long range. Everton have scored 18.8% of their shots on goal this season, which is also a league high.

Despite this, only Aston Villa have picked up less points than Everton in the last ten Premier League games. The Toffees have only kept one clean sheet at home this season. 

New additions

Everton boosted their squad late in the window with the €13.5m signing of Oumar Niasse from Lokomotiv Moscow. The Senegal striker was voted 'Player of the year' in Russia last year. 

Newcastle will be hoping for an instant impact from new men Seydou Doumbia and Andros Townsend. Doumbia made a late move to Tyneside on a loan deal with the option to buy at the end of the season. 

Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet will also get another chance to show what they can do on Wednesday night.

Seydou Doumbia and Steve McClaren | Photo: nufc.co.uk
Seydou Doumbia and Steve McClaren | Photo: nufc.co.uk

The end for Martinez?

Everyone knows how much of a talented coach Roberto Martinez is. He did well at Swansea and lifted an FA cup with Wigan but for some reason he just can't get Everton to the heights they should be at. In his full debut season the Spaniard navigated the club to a fifth place finish and people thought that was the start of Everton challenging for the top four every year.

The manager may have also undone himself by telling chairman Bill Kenwright that he would get the club into the Champions League when the two first met.

Everton sit 12th in the league and are currently 13 points off a top four spot and some fans are starting to wonder whether Martinez is the right man to take the club forward.