LAMPARD STARTS EVERTON CAREER WITH DEFEAT

Everton have been on a poor run in the Premier League dating back to the start of October and that run led to the dismissal of manager Rafael Benitez who was appointed into the role last summer. A lot of Everton fans were not in support of the appointment due to his status as a Liverpool legend who won two major titles for the Reds while he was their manager over a decade ago. The Everton fans were delighted to see the back of Benitez after a poor run of one win in 13 league matches.

Duncan Ferguson is a club legend at Everton and he was asked to take charge of the 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa in what was his second spell as the interim Toffees manager. The interim tenure of Big Duncan as he's popularly called on Merseyside ushered in the appointment of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard as the Everton manager.

DUBRAVKA RETURNS FOR ARSENAL GAME

Slovakia international goalkeeper Martin Dubravka made his return to the Newcastle United starting XI for the Arsenal game. Despite his return, Newcastle United were unable to break their winless run at the start of this Premier League season after the Gunners ran out 2-0 winners with the two goals coming in the second half.

Newcastle United shot stopper Dubravka missed the start of the season due to injury. The Slovakia international had recovered from the injury as at the end of last month, but he was unable to dislodge Karl Darlow in the Magpies goal until the Arsenal game. He played for Slovakia during the international break this month.

NEWCASTLE DROP INTO RELEGATION ZONE

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Newcastle United have dropped into the Premier League relegation zone after the latest round of games. The Magpies are now one of the three teams occupying the relegation zone after they were beaten by hosts Wolves last week Saturday. The Magpies were on the receiving end of a 2-1 loss at Wolves thereby maintaining their winless start to the new Premier League campaign.

DUBRAVKA ABSENT FOR VILLA DEFEAT

Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was a major absentee for the league game at Aston Villa over the weekend. The Slovakia international missed the defeat to Villa due to injury.

Slovakia national team shot stopper Dubravka was absent as Aston Villa inflicted another defeat on Newcastle Unitedin what was one of the week two games as far as the new Premier League campaign is concerned.

Dubravka was in Slovakia goal at the Euro 2020 tournament this summer. He was in the starting line-up for all the three group games involving Slovakia at the tournament. Slovakia were knocked out of the tournament at the group stage. Dubravka and his Slovakia national team colleagues won one and lost two out of the three games played in Group E.

HOW DUBRAVKA LET HIS TEAM DOWN

Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had an almostspotless tournament in goal for Slovakia until the final group game against Spain. Slovakia had earlier been drawn in Group E alongside the Spaniards when the draw for Euro 2020 was made several months back. Apart from Spain and Slovakia, Poland and Sweden were also drawn in Group E.

Magpies shot stopper Dubravkawas one of the best players for Slovakia in their tournament opener against Poland. Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar scored the winning goal for the Slovaks as they defeated Poland 2-1 to start the tournament on an impressive note though the Polish team had to play the majority of the second half with ten men after experienced midfielder GrzegoryKrychowiak was sent off for two yellow cards. Former West Bromstar Krychowiak was the first player to receive his marching orders at the Euro 2020 tournament.

NEWCASTLE RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

Newcastle United are back on the winning side following the narrow victory over Sheffield United in their last home game for the current Premier League campaign. Slovakia national team goalkeeper Martin Dubravkakept a clean sheet in the Newcastle United goal to help the team to a 1-0 win over the Blades.

The Magpies welcomed fans to the stadium for the first time since February 2020 and the occasion was celebrated with the slim win over the Blades who have been demoted to the second tier of English football.

Newcastle United had been beaten by Manchester City in their last game before the Sheffield United game. Slovakia goalkeeper Dubravka conceded four goals as his team ended on the wrong side of the seven-goal thriller with the Citizens.