James Garner insists Everton’s confidence has not been knocked by their disappointing home form, as they prepare to travel to Newcastle United.
David Moyes’ team have not won at Hill Dickinson Stadium since December 6, and suffered their sixth Premier League defeat at their new ground as they went down to Manchester United on Monday.
Everton have now lost more Premier League games at Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2025-26 than they did at Goodison Park last term.
However, their away results have been excellent. The Toffees have not lost on the road since losing 2-0 to Chelsea on December 13. That run has included wins at Fulham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
And Garner, who featured at right-back against United rather than in his usual midfield role, says there is still plenty of confidence within the squad.
“I hope we can nip it in the bud as soon as we can,” Garner told Everton’s media channels.
“It was maybe just that clinical edge that I think we missed tonight. We got into the final third easy enough and we just didn’t create as much as what we’d like.
“So, I think we’re just missing that final edge and I’m hoping that will add a few more points.
“It happens. It’s football. You’re not going to win every single game. I think every player, every single team has been there where you don’t win games. The best thing is that you’ve always got a game the next week, so you’ve got a chance to put it right.
“The confidence won’t be knocked, but obviously it’s very frustrating to not come away with anything, but like I said, the good thing is that we’ve got next week to put things right.”
Stunning.
Not the result we wanted, but thank you to @The1878s for another incredible display at our home. pic.twitter.com/dh0sh2O5l8
— Everton (@Everton) February 24, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle United – Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey scored against Tottenham and laid on an assist against Manchester City, across his last two league appearances.
Only once previously has he scored or assisted in three in a row, doing so for Villa in May 2023.
Everton – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Dewsbury-Hall has the most goal involvements (four) for Everton in Premier League away games this season (three goals, one assist), with the Toffees winning all three away matches in which he has either scored and/or assisted (v Wolves, Manchester United and Fulham).
MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE WIN
Newcastle have lost their last two Premier League home matches, defeats to Aston Villa and Brentford. The Magpies haven’t lost three in a row since January/February 2021 under Steve Bruce.
The Magpies are averaging just 1.33 points per game in the Premier League this season, their lowest ratio in a season under Eddie Howe.
It is Howe’s lowest points per game ratio since taking 34 points in 38 games with Bournemouth in 2019-20 (0.89) as the Cherries were relegated in 18th.
Everton have earned the second most away points in the Premier League since Moyes’ first away game back in charge in January last year (38), while they are one of two sides to concede fewer than a goal per away game in that time (18 in 22), along with Arsenal (18 in 23).
Newcastle have lost four of their last five Premier League matches (W1), with no side losing more since MD23.
Everton won this fixture 1-0 last season, last winning away at Newcastle in consecutive seasons in 2012-13/2013-14.
Newcastle are looking to complete the Premier League double over Everton for the sixth time (1993-94, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2020-21, 2022-23). Only against Spurs (seven) have the Magpies done so against a side that many times.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Newcastle United – 55.8%
Draw – 22.8%
Everton – 21.4%
