• NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Karl Darlow - 6: Shaky start where he was almost caught in possession by Calvert-Lewin and saw poor throw out nearly gift Sigurdsson a chance. Had to be quick off his line to stop Calvert-Lewin after poor backpass from Lewis. Unusually quiet game for the keeper until last few minutes, but might be frustrated that Calvert-Lewin shot found way past him at near post for Everton goal. PA
    NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Karl Darlow - 6: Shaky start where he was almost caught in possession by Calvert-Lewin and saw poor throw out nearly gift Sigurdsson a chance. Had to be quick off his line to stop Calvert-Lewin after poor backpass from Lewis. Unusually quiet game for the keeper until last few minutes, but might be frustrated that Calvert-Lewin shot found way past him at near post for Everton goal. PA
  • Fabian Schar - 7: Calm and assured from the Swiss who was a key part of a resolute Newcastle backline. Reuters
    Fabian Schar - 7: Calm and assured from the Swiss who was a key part of a resolute Newcastle backline. Reuters
  • Jamaal Lascelles - 8: Faced one of the division’s form players in Calvert-Lewin and was more than up for the challenge. Best performance of the season by the Magpies captain. EPA.
    Jamaal Lascelles - 8: Faced one of the division’s form players in Calvert-Lewin and was more than up for the challenge. Best performance of the season by the Magpies captain. EPA.
  • Federico Fernandez - 8: Really impressive game from Argentine making numerous important blocks and challenges on the ground and in the air from first minute to the last. AFP
    Federico Fernandez - 8: Really impressive game from Argentine making numerous important blocks and challenges on the ground and in the air from first minute to the last. AFP
  • Jamal Lewis - 7: Short backpass almost put Calvert-Lewin in but Darlow made the challenge. Summer signing form Norwich continues to look the part at left-back for Newcastle and it was his perfect ball down the line to Fraser that started the move for the second goal. AFP
    Jamal Lewis - 7: Short backpass almost put Calvert-Lewin in but Darlow made the challenge. Summer signing form Norwich continues to look the part at left-back for Newcastle and it was his perfect ball down the line to Fraser that started the move for the second goal. AFP
  • Jeff Hendrick - 6: Former Burnley man was solid if unspectacular in the centre of midfield which - barring his scoring start to the season at West Ham - sums up his start on Tyneside. PA
    Jeff Hendrick - 6: Former Burnley man was solid if unspectacular in the centre of midfield which - barring his scoring start to the season at West Ham - sums up his start on Tyneside. PA
  • Sean Longstaff - 7: Rare league start for the Geordie midfielder, one important touch to deny Gomes chance when Portuguese was shaping up to volley. One lovely switch of play from right to pick out Lewis on left just after the break. Had shot on the turn well saved by Olsen in second half. PA
    Sean Longstaff - 7: Rare league start for the Geordie midfielder, one important touch to deny Gomes chance when Portuguese was shaping up to volley. One lovely switch of play from right to pick out Lewis on left just after the break. Had shot on the turn well saved by Olsen in second half. PA
  • Jacob Murphy - 6: Unlike the last match against Wolves, was quiet attacking-wise down the right with a more disciplined defensive performance. One lovely pass with outside of boot helped set-up opportunity for Longstaff. Two wayward long-range attempts at goal after the break. Getty
    Jacob Murphy - 6: Unlike the last match against Wolves, was quiet attacking-wise down the right with a more disciplined defensive performance. One lovely pass with outside of boot helped set-up opportunity for Longstaff. Two wayward long-range attempts at goal after the break. Getty
  • Miguel Almiron - 7: A few positive attacking bursts out of midfield with one lovely turn and run that started the move for Saint-Maximin’s great chance in first half. Relentless workrate from Paraguayan. Reuters
    Miguel Almiron - 7: A few positive attacking bursts out of midfield with one lovely turn and run that started the move for Saint-Maximin’s great chance in first half. Relentless workrate from Paraguayan. Reuters
  • Allan Saint-Maximin - 6: Should have opened the scoring just after half an hour but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Olsen. Suddenly sprang into life after Wilson’s goal, leaving Nkounkou for dead, making some trademark surges forward. The Frenchman appears a bit off the boil at the moment. Getty
    Allan Saint-Maximin - 6: Should have opened the scoring just after half an hour but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Olsen. Suddenly sprang into life after Wilson’s goal, leaving Nkounkou for dead, making some trademark surges forward. The Frenchman appears a bit off the boil at the moment. Getty
  • Callum Wilson - 8: Had first chance of the game but could only side-foot a chip over the bar. Excellent run and pass to put Saint-Maximin through on goal only for the Frenchman to waste the opportunity. Won a penalty and then picked himself up to score. Finished from one yard to seal the points late on. Six goals for the season now. AP
    Callum Wilson - 8: Had first chance of the game but could only side-foot a chip over the bar. Excellent run and pass to put Saint-Maximin through on goal only for the Frenchman to waste the opportunity. Won a penalty and then picked himself up to score. Finished from one yard to seal the points late on. Six goals for the season now. AP
  • SUBS: Ryan Fraser – (On for Saint-Maximin 74’) 7: Straight into action after coming on and his surging run and deflected cross set up Wilson’s second. AFP
    SUBS: Ryan Fraser – (On for Saint-Maximin 74’) 7: Straight into action after coming on and his surging run and deflected cross set up Wilson’s second. AFP
  • Isaac Hayden – (On for Almiron 83’) N/A. Andy Carroll – (On for Wilson 85’) N/A. AFP
    Isaac Hayden – (On for Almiron 83’) N/A. Andy Carroll – (On for Wilson 85’) N/A. AFP
  • EVERTON RATINGS: Robin Olsen - 7: Brought in to make his debut for the ‘rested’ Jordan Pickford, the Swedish goalkeeper had to wait 30 minutes to make a save of any sort – and made himself big to deny Saint-Maximin. Excellent reaction save to deny Longstaff just before the hour. No chance with goals and can be pleased with first game despite defeat. Getty
    EVERTON RATINGS: Robin Olsen - 7: Brought in to make his debut for the ‘rested’ Jordan Pickford, the Swedish goalkeeper had to wait 30 minutes to make a save of any sort – and made himself big to deny Saint-Maximin. Excellent reaction save to deny Longstaff just before the hour. No chance with goals and can be pleased with first game despite defeat. Getty
  • Jonjoe Kenny - 7: First game in 20 months the for full-back. Produced a few dangerous crosses over from the right and did well on the return. Getty
    Jonjoe Kenny - 7: First game in 20 months the for full-back. Produced a few dangerous crosses over from the right and did well on the return. Getty
  • Michael Keane - 8: The England defender strolled through the first half under little pressure. Made to earn his money a bit more in the second half but always looked solid. Headed one chance well over the bar. PA
    Michael Keane - 8: The England defender strolled through the first half under little pressure. Made to earn his money a bit more in the second half but always looked solid. Headed one chance well over the bar. PA
  • Yerry Mina - 6: The Colombian was untroubled in the first half but had more to do after the break as Newcastle offered bit more of a threat. Booked for a cynical foul on Saint-Maximin and was on the wrong side of Fraser when the Scot surged away down left to set-up the second goal. EPA
    Yerry Mina - 6: The Colombian was untroubled in the first half but had more to do after the break as Newcastle offered bit more of a threat. Booked for a cynical foul on Saint-Maximin and was on the wrong side of Fraser when the Scot surged away down left to set-up the second goal. EPA
  • Niels Nkounkou - 6: Another making his Everton debut, the former Marseille player was given an easy ride in first half although was booked for fouling Saint-Maximin. Was skinned by his countryman in the second half but a decent start in Everton colours from the Frenchman. AFP
    Niels Nkounkou - 6: Another making his Everton debut, the former Marseille player was given an easy ride in first half although was booked for fouling Saint-Maximin. Was skinned by his countryman in the second half but a decent start in Everton colours from the Frenchman. AFP
  • Allan - 7: Gave injury-hit Everton a scare in the first half when he appeared to turn over his ankle but played on, much to the relief of everyone in blue. Usual reliable self, breaking up play in midfield and keeping things simple with the ball. Frustrated to be booked for bringing down Murphy in full flow. Getty
    Allan - 7: Gave injury-hit Everton a scare in the first half when he appeared to turn over his ankle but played on, much to the relief of everyone in blue. Usual reliable self, breaking up play in midfield and keeping things simple with the ball. Frustrated to be booked for bringing down Murphy in full flow. Getty
  • Fabian Delph - 7: Skewed one half-chance well wide just before the break. Some tidy passing out from midfield in an assured showing from the former England player. Reuters
    Fabian Delph - 7: Skewed one half-chance well wide just before the break. Some tidy passing out from midfield in an assured showing from the former England player. Reuters
  • Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6: One half chance in the opening half but his poke at goal barely made it to Darlow, never mind force a save from him. Usual powerful showing by the former Watford man but typical of Everton’s midfield: full of guile but lacking creative flair. Reuters
    Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6: One half chance in the opening half but his poke at goal barely made it to Darlow, never mind force a save from him. Usual powerful showing by the former Watford man but typical of Everton’s midfield: full of guile but lacking creative flair. Reuters
  • Andre Gomes - 4: One awful pass straight out of play summed up both teams in the opening half. Clumsy knee to the back of Wilson’s legs gave away penalty, injuring himself in process and he went off soon after. EPA
    Andre Gomes - 4: One awful pass straight out of play summed up both teams in the opening half. Clumsy knee to the back of Wilson’s legs gave away penalty, injuring himself in process and he went off soon after. EPA
  • Gylfi Sigurdsson - 6: Usual danger from dead balls. Curling free-kick into box was met by Calvert-Lewin but the striker’s header was weak. Deflected shot saved by Darlow late on. Getty
    Gylfi Sigurdsson - 6: Usual danger from dead balls. Curling free-kick into box was met by Calvert-Lewin but the striker’s header was weak. Deflected shot saved by Darlow late on. Getty
  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 7: Full of running and constantly putting Newcastle defence – and keeper Darlow – under pressure. A couple of half chances before the break but couldn’t get a clean shot away. Took a painful blow to face off the back of Schar’s head in the second half. Weak header from Sigurdsson free-kick straight at Darlow. Goal-poacher’s finish at near-post to give Everton some late hope. EPA
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 7: Full of running and constantly putting Newcastle defence – and keeper Darlow – under pressure. A couple of half chances before the break but couldn’t get a clean shot away. Took a painful blow to face off the back of Schar’s head in the second half. Weak header from Sigurdsson free-kick straight at Darlow. Goal-poacher’s finish at near-post to give Everton some late hope. EPA
  • SUBS: Bernard – (On for Gomes 60’) 6: Slotted straight in after coming on. Cenk Tosun, above – (On for Nkounkou 69’) 5: Made no impact. PA
    SUBS: Bernard – (On for Gomes 60’) 6: Slotted straight in after coming on. Cenk Tosun, above – (On for Nkounkou 69’) 5: Made no impact. PA
  • Alex Iwobi – (On for Kenny 75’) 7: His low cross was deflected into path of Calvert-Lewin for striker’s late goal. PA
    Alex Iwobi – (On for Kenny 75’) 7: His low cross was deflected into path of Calvert-Lewin for striker’s late goal. PA

Football

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal on Saudi-led bid to buy Newcastle: 'It's a shame it didn't go through'

Interview with the BBC published on the same day it was announced that the Kingdom will host its first Formula One race next year

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Abu Dhabi

November 05, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal has spoken of his "disappointment" that a bid led by a Saudi-led consortium to purchase Premier League club Newcastle United was rejected.

In an interview the BBC, the Saudi sports minister, did not share any insight as to why the £300 million ($393m) takeover bid was turned down, saying only that "there's always a reason for things happening or not".

The protracted takeover of Newcastle by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers collapsed in July. The consortium had been waiting for months for clearance by the Premier League and apparently lost patience.

"It's a shame it didn't go through but we say here that there's always a reason for things happening or not, and we look forward to better opportunities, hopefully in the future," Prince Abdulazaiz said.

"Of course there was disappointment that the deal did not go through … I'm not really sure what went wrong or what the discussions were about."

Prince Abdulazaiz is the most high-ranking Saudi official to comment on the failed bid. The collapse of the takeover left thousands of Newcastle fans crestfallen and facing up to yet another season under the ownership of Mike Ashley.

The British billionaire businessman is an unpopular figure on the terraces who supporters accuse of chronic underinvestment in players during his 13 years at St James' Park.

Asked if PIF may try to resurrect the deal for Newcastle United in the future, Prince Abdulazaiz said: "I don't know what PIF's plans are, but if there's an opportunity, they'd look into it."

Prince Abdulazaiz's interview was published on the same day it was announced that Saudi Arabia will host its first Formula One race next season.

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