'Awful': Alan Shearer gives damning assessment of Newcastle on Match of the Day

Newcastle United grabbed another Premier League point on the road which would normally be seen as a good thing but this was in a game that was there to be won.

For whatever reason, something is severely lacking up top for the Magpies this season. Newcastle have now gone approximately 345 minutes without scoring from open plan which is a very worrying statistic.

The fact that Newcastle didn't register a shot on target in the second half against Everton tells its own story with both Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon blazing over the bar and Joelinton dragging a shot wide.

Goals win games and you can have all the possession you want in a game, but if you don't put the ball in the net, the best you can hope for is a draw.

BBC

Alan Shearer rightly declared Newcastle's play in the final third 'awful'

On last night's Match of the Day former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer said his piece about Newcastle's lack of goalscoring ability and he wasn't kind.

"They were awful in the final third today. They played some really good football in terms of getting into the final third but their final pass or finish today was awful.

"Having said that, they are sixth in the league and they've got no (Callum) Wilson and no (Alexander) Isak. They're need Isak fit if they're going to improve those stats."

What does Will Osula have to do to be given a chance?

Both Wilson and Isak are expected to be back in contention following the international break which should give Eddie Howe some hope of improvement when the Premier League resumes.

We can not understand why Eddie Howe doesn't just give Will Osula a chance. The kid can go out onto the pitch with no expectations on his shoulders. If he doesn't score then okay, Eddie gets to say he was right and it was too soon, if he does start banging in goals ... great!

Why spend £15 million on someone you're not going to use when you have little other option? Especially when the 11 players on the pitch are having a contest to see who can clear the stadium roof!