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Gray & Iwobi On Goodison Factor And Player Boost

Demarai Gray believes Goodison Park can play a big role in nullifying the threat posed by visitors Newcastle United on Thursday evening (7.45pm kick-off BST).   

The Magpies will arrive on Merseyside fresh from a 6-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, helping them to climb up to third in the Premier League table.     

Eddie Howe’s men will be looking to strengthen their grip on a place in the top four with another positive result against Everton this week.   

However, Gray says he and his teammates are fully focused on how important three points would be for their target of climbing away from the bottom three and believes the support from Evertonians under the lights at the Old Lady can help to make it an uncomfortable night for the away side.   

“They (Newcastle) have shown their ability this season, especially with the position they are in,” acknowledged Gray.   

“They have done well, and we are aware they will be confident on the back of last weekend’s win. But any team that comes to Goodison knows it’s never easy. It’s never going to be comfortable. If we focus on our game, our plan and apply ourselves right for the game then we can fight for the points.    

“When the fans are behind us, it helps massively. It’s never an easy place to play, we need to feed off the atmosphere and make it a tough game for Newcastle. We know how important a win could be and we’re desperate to get one.”  


The last meeting between these two sides at Goodison Park saw a 10-man Everton secure a memorable victory after Iwobi struck home a winner in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time. 
 

That helped spark a crucial run of four home games without loss for Everton, something that proved crucial in sealing survival last season.   

Hero from that night Iwobi hopes for a repeat of that and admits Everton will be boosted by the potential return of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, along with Amadou Onana.

Doucoure has finished serving his three-match ban following his sending off against Tottenham, while Calvert-Lewin returned to action at Selhurst Park on Saturday after 10 games out through injury. The striker is now in line to make his first appearance at Goodison Park since the 1-0 victory against Arsenal in early February.   

Meanwhile, Onana could be fit after missing the past two matches with a groin injury.

“It’s another game at home with the fans behind us,” tells Iwobi. “That should lift and motivate us. Newcastle are coming off the back of a good win, but we’ve got the motivation and a couple of players coming back. Doucs and Dom are back.

“Hopefully Amadou will be back as well. With everyone returning, there is strength in depth in the squad, so we should do well. The result we had last time at home against them should give us added motivation, too.”