Everton’s Big Sam slams negative Toon

EVERTON manager Sam Allardyce accused Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United of adopting “negative tactics” at Goodison Park on Monday evening.

The former Magpies boss has received fierce criticism from Everton supporters for his style of football in recent months, but he defended his own side’s turgid display on home soil by claiming it was Newcastle who were unambitious, rather than Everton.

Theo Walcott’s second-half strike separated the two sides, yet it was the Magpies who appeared to be more adventurous throughout though not in Allardyce’s eye.

“What was wrong with our style today? We completely dominated the game,” a defiant Allardyce said after the game, as Everton moved up to eighth, four points clear of 10th-placed Newcastle.

“We were patient, we got the winner. You can’t knock our football. You can knock some of the passing that goes astray, but you can’t knock me for that - I don’t pass the ball.

“When does every fan like the manager? I will keep doing what I’m doing because we keep winning and keep getting better.

“I think eighth in the league compared to fifth-from-bottom [when I took over] tells you we’re getting better.

“I think up to 75 minutes we were excellent, and then we had to do too much desperate defending to secure the victory we deserved.

“But we broke down a very stubborn Newcastle defensive unit with all 11 players in their own half, trying to suck you in and hit you on the break, it was difficult to break down their negative tactics but we found a way to do it.

“Theo’s scored his third goal since he arrived and it was the winner so I’m very pleased for him, very pleased for the team and a 1-0 victory.”

Last week, Everton sent out a survey to supporters asking fans to critique Allardyce’s performance this season - something which the Toffees manager was left angered by.

And he insists his players “did the talking” by defeating Newcastle at Goodison Park, despite the awful spectacle served up on Merseyside.

“Controversy was caused by an error by one of our employees which he realises wasn’t the right thing to do,” Allardyce said.

“Let’s not let it happen again, let’s move forward.

“And the players did all the talking on the pitch by winning the game again at home and putting us up to eighth place and, hopefully, helping us finish the season as strong as we possibly can.”