Newcastle United's goalless draw at Everton shows where transfer priority should lie

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A bore draw at Goodison Park should spark Newcastle United into life in the January transfer market.

There was an air of inevitability when Anthony Gordon stepped up to take a penalty against former club Everton on Saturday evening.

The former Toffees star had been the target of anger and frustration from the home faithful upon his return to Goodison Park - and here was a chance to quiten their booing as the Newcastle United forward stepped up to face England team-mate Jordan Pickford from 12 yards. The presence of the Toffees goalkeeper, a lifelong Sunderland fan no less, only added to the feeling of predictability over what would come to pass in a pivotal moment in the game.

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Be it fate, skill or luck, Pickford kept out an admittedly weak penalty from Gordon and the home faithful, in Jamie Carragher’s words, celebrated like a goal had been scored. The Toffees supporters were mocking their former star during the second-half of a goalless contest on Merseyside when Gordon broke into the right-hand side of the area and looked set to beat Pickford - but could only send a rising effort well over the crossbar. Neither of those missed chances should be used to criticise Gordon, who has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent players over the last 16 months and is about to be rewarded for his fine form with a new contract that should quieten speculation over a move back to Merseyside with Liverpool.

However, Gordon’s presence as the leading man in Eddie Howe’s attack during the recent draws with Manchester City and Everton should act as a pointer of where the Magpies priorities should lie when the January transfer window opens for business. Howe, quite rightly, suggested the planned return of striking duo Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson after the international break should be viewed as a reason to be positive - but with the latter yet to feature this season after suffering a back injury during the summer and heading into the final six months of his current deal, surely a move for another striker should be on the agenda.

Gordon is more than capable of playing in the ‘number nine’ role and proved that during England’s successful European Under-21s Championship campaign last summer. He has also produced some eye-catching displays at club level - but there is no doubt Newcastle lose something in wide areas when the former Everton man is forced to play down the middle. Isak is, without question, Newcastle’s leading light in the main role in attack and he has had to carry that burden in Wilson’s absence, with the England striker limited to just 12 starts from a possible 61 games since the start of last season.

Much of the talk of the summer transfer window was of Newcastle’s need to add another centre-back to their squad - and that should remain a priority, despite club captain Jamaal Lascelles and Dutch defender Sven Botman making good progress in their return from long-term injury. However, adding a natural striker to their ranks should be at the top of their list of priorities if they are to challenge for a place in European competition next season. There have been links with the likes of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lille star Jonathan David and both have been watched by Magpies recruitment staff over the last year.

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As it stands, the Magpies are sat on the fringes of the top four as the attention turns towards the second international break of the season. But if they want to ensure they remain in the push for a second Champions League campaign in three seasons, they must look to ease the burden on their forwards when the January transfer window opens for business.

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