Carver out to exploit fan unrest

14 March 2015 13:16

John Carver is hoping to take advantage of any unrest at Goodison Park as Newcastle attempt to complete a double over Everton.

The Magpies' head coach was on Merseyside on Thursday evening to see Roberto Martinez's men come from behind to secure a 2-1 first-leg lead to take into their return trip to Dynamo Kiev next week, when a Europa League quarter-final place is at stake.

However, their domestic form has been less than impressive in recent weeks and they currently sit in 14th place in the Barclays Premier League table having won just one of their last 12 games.

That is a run Carver is determined to extend to add to the 3-2 victory Newcastle claimed over the Toffees at St James' Park on December 28, and he knows his cause could be aided by the kind of disquiet on the terraces he witnessed in midweek.

He said: "I've got to be honest, I was scared. It was pretty daunting. I was there with Steve Stone and Dave Watson, an Everton legend, and he'd never seen that before. He found it quite strange.

"They came out with great credit, showing character by coming back to win and coming out at the other end dominating the game and deserving to win."

Victory was clinched by Romelu Lukaku's nerveless late penalty, and Carver is well aware of the threat the Belgium international poses having seen him score three times in as many appearances for Everton against the Magpies.

He said: "Lukaku is a threat, he's a big strong lad. He wasn't cheap, he didn't cost two balloons and a goldfish.

"He did a fantastic job at West Brom and we've got to make sure we contain that threat."

Newcastle will travel to Goodison with their squad once again depleted by injury and suspension with midfielder Mehdi Abeid having joined a lengthy casualty list with a thigh problem and Papiss Cisse beginning his seven-match ban.

However, Jack Colback is available after sitting out the last two games following his 10th booking of the season, and fellow midfielder Remy Cabella has shaken off a knee problem.

Source: PA