'I'd agree with that' - Newcastle United boss makes Everton claim after points deduction question

Eddie Howe says Newcastle United are "going to have to respond to a lot of questions" when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday night (kick-off 7:30pm).

The Toffees sit inside the Premier League relegation zone after being docked 10 points last month for breaching the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules. Had Sean Dyche's side avoided that deduction then they'd be sat 13th in the table, eight points above the bottom three.

Everton appealed the punishment last week and have been buoyed by the situation. There were wild protests against the Premier League in the last home match against Manchester United before that was followed up by a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Given the atmosphere surrounding the Merseyside club and the physical threat they pose, Howe has challenged his players to rise to the occasion.

The Magpies' boss said: “I’d agree with that. They have made big strides as a team and have been very, very competitive. And I think the biggest challenge for us is to make sure we compete as they do.

"They’re a very strong, physical team and got obvious strengths. They will pose questions for us defensively which we have to answer.

"They’ve also got the crowd and that dynamic and the situation they’re in with the points deduction and what’s done for them collectively. We’re going to have to respond to a lot of questions. "

Speaking previously about Everton's points deduction, Howe said: “Financial Fair Play has been a difficult one for everyone to - myself included – get our heads around as a football club because it's come in and every club has to work towards it within the guidelines,. t's certainly not my decision in terms of what happens financially, that's the club and I think the club has managed the situation very well under pressure to invest and to improve the squad and to try to move things forward as quickly as possible.

“The Everton situation came out of the blue, I think, for all of us in terms of the verdict. They've got an incredible manager there who has done brilliant things previously in difficult circumstances and I'd back Sean to do the same again."