Good evening! Welcome to Sports Mole for tonight's Premier League clash between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park.

Let's waste no time in giving you the team news. We'll start with the visitors...

NEWCASTLE: Krul; Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon; Anita, Tiote, Sissoko; Gouffran, Remy, Ben Arfa

Cabaye and Cisse miss out for the Magpies, who will line up in a 4-3-3 spearheaded by Yoan Gouffran, Hatem Ben Arfa and Loic Remy. Vurnon Anita and Cheick Tiote both start in midfield alongside Moussa Sissoko. No shocks at the back, with Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Fabrizio Coloccini and Davide Santon forming the back four.

EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy, Osman, Mirallas, Barkley; Lukaku

Leon Osman returns from injury to replace Steven Naismith in midfield for the hosts. Otherwise, there are no real surprises. Darron Gibson returned to action in the midweek League Cup game against Fulham but has not made the bench this evening. Gareth Barry will make his 500th Premier League appearance this evening. The 32-year-old made his professional debut for Aston Villa against Sheffield Wednesday in May 1998. Since then, he has made 53 appearances for England and won league and cup honours with Manchester City.

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Heitinga, Stones, Naismith, Deulofeu, Kone, Jelavic
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliot, Dummett, Williamson, Cabaye, Obertan, Sam Ameobi, Cisse

Newcastle have won in just one of their last 10 visits to Goodison Park, losing six and drawing three. Their last victory came in September 2010, when Hatem Ben Arfa scored a thunderous 25-yard strike on his full debut for the Magpies.

The Toffees are unbeaten in 11 home games stretching back to last season. They have won eight and drawn three in the space. They remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season with two wins and three draws from their five games so far. A win tonight would see them into fourth place.

0 - Everton have not lost a Premier League home game on a Monday since Liverpool won 3-2 in April 2001 (W5 D3 since). Fortress.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 30, 2013

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew's men have won just three times on the road since May 2012. In that time, they have drawn seven and lost 12. Two of those victories have been against Villa, while the other was a 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers in the penultimate game of last season.

The two clubs have played each other a total of 164 times in all competitions, with Everton winning 65 and Newcastle 64. They met for the first time on September 10, 1898, with Everton winning 3-0 on that occasion. Their last match at Goodison Park was an entertaining 2-2 draw last September.

Leighton Baines and Victor Anichebe scored that night, just as they did in a 2-1 victory at St James' Park in January.

Baines has once again been in scintillating form this year. Him staying put this summer has been vital to Everton's cause. Although Romelu Lukaku scored the winner in last week's 3-2 victory over West Ham United, it was two splendid free kicks from the England left-back that really did the damage at Upton Park. He's ubiquitously involved in the Toffees' attacking play, but his defensive capabilities also cannot be understated.

It's been a relatively turbulent start to the season for the visitors, whose fanbase seems divided on the subject of owner Mike Ashley. They lost their opening match 4-0 away against Manchester City, before a frustrating goalless draw at home with West Ham United. Back-to-back wins against Fulham and Aston Villa came next, but a 3-2 defeat to Hull City has taken a bit of the shine off those two victories.

As previously mentioned, Romelu Lukaku scored the winner on his debut for Everton at Upton Park. He starts tonight, as he did in the midweek League Cup exit to Fulham, ahead of Nikica Jelavic, who has been struggling for form and yet to find the net this season. His last goal came as a late substitute in a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Goodison Park in March. He seems a shadow of the player that blitzed nine goals after first joining from Rangers in January 2012.

Not only have there been over 2.5 goals in nine of the last 11 meetings in all competitions between these two sides, but there has also been over 2.5 goals in Newcastle's last three away games in the Premier League. However, Everton have kept a clean sheet in their last seven home matches in the Premier League, and won seven of those eight. All the stats point to a home victory this evening.

REFEREE: Phil Dowd. He's given six red cards and 92 yellows in his last 29 Premier League games. That's an average of 3.38 cards per game.

Alan Pardew explains the two notable omissions from his starting XI to Sky Sports News: "Cabaye isn't quite match fit, he hasn't trained for two, three days. I think Papiss needs a rest."

Let's just zip away from Goodison Park for a moment to tell you about the other Live Commentaries Sports Mole currently have going on. There's action in Serie A this evening as Fiorentina take on Parma at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, or you can follow St Mirren and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League.

The players are making their way onto the pitch at Goodison Park. We're just moments from kickoff on Merseyside.

KICKOFF! Everton get the game underway...

The Toffees have set up in their now-familiar style under new manager Roberto Martinez, with Gareth Barry sitting deep in midfield. They keep the ball patiently at the back before launching their first attack, which sees Lukaku flagged offside having rounded Tim Krul and rolled into the net. Right decision, and the linesman was quick to act.

The Toffees fans have a new hero... for this season, at least! Shades of Duncan Ferguson as the Belgian rose high to knock the ball down for Kevin Mirallas, who beat Davide Santon and crossed for his international teammate. The Chelsea loanee struck it first time past Tim Krul, although the Dutch goalkeeper should have done better.

It's been a really bright start by the home side. They're first to every ball and closing the Newcastle players down quickly when not in possession. The visitors are a bit taken aback.

SHOT! Barkley unleashes a vicious right-footed effort from outside the area that misses narrowly. It looked like Krul just about had it covered, but Everton really are in the ascendancy early on at Goodison Park.

A rapid turn of pace from Ben Arfa sees him win a corner off Coleman. The Frenchman himself delivers for Coloccini at the near post but the referee blows his whistle. The ball had gone out before coming back in.

Newcastle are starting to see more of the ball, although the Blues are keeping their shape well. Debuchy finds some space for a cross from the right, but he's unable to find a striped shirt in the area.

Everton are staying solid when they don't have the ball and making it hard for the visitors to find space. When they do have possession they look in confident mood. Ben Arfa looks like he's up for this, though, as he fizzes in an early ball for Remy, who was way offside.

Newcastle win the ball in midfield but Remy is offside once again when the ball is played through to him. That could have been a promising situation for the Magpies.

BOOKING! Leighton Baines goes into the book for a foul on Matieu Debuchy.

SHOT! McCarthy dispossesses Tiote in the final third and has a dig at goal, but Krul manages to get his foot to it. The rebound falls to Osman, but his chip to the back post is headed away by Santon.

Great move by Everton! It started when Osman won the ball off Debuchy in the right-back position and laid it off to Barkley. After a neat interchange with Lukaku, the ball was then worked out wide to Coleman, who ran at the Newcastle backline, tormenting Sissoko and Santon and eventually winning a corner.

Coleman looks like he might have his hands full with Ben Arfa's pace this evening, but he's just got the better of him on their latest exchange. Everton carrying the far greater threat in the opening 20+ minutes.

What a lovely pass from Lukaku, who slips in Barkley to slot home his first goal at Goodison Park. Neat pass, cool finish. Newcastle's defence stood still, and they now have a mountain to climb.

The visitors really haven't been at the races this evening. That was the 10th goal that they have conceded this season. This is just their sixth game, so that'll be a worry for Alan Pardew.

"Are you watching David Moyes?" chant the Gwaldys Street End at Goodison Park.

Everton are just keeping possession at the moment. They're comfortable. Newcastle look toothless going forward, their only outlet is Ben Arfa, who looks overburdened on the left at the moment.

Yanga-Mbiwa concedes a foul on Baines wide on the left. Needless, silly foul. The England left-back takes it himself, but the Newcastle defence clear their lines.

HOME DEBUT GOAL!
© Getty Images

Oh dear... goalkeeping catastrophe for Tim Krul! Although the sluggish Newcastle defence will have to take a portion of the blame as well. It was a punt downfield from Tim Howard that put Lukaku through on goal, forcing Krul comes out to meet him. The Dutchman makes an absolute hash of it, allowing the Belgian a simple tap in for his third goal in an Everton shirt. What a home debut!

Everton are first to every ball. First to every second ball. First to every... well, you get the picture. Half time cannot come quick enough for the Magpies.

BOOKING! Kevin Mirallas joins Baines in the book for a foul on Vurnon Anita.

THE NEXT BIG THING?
© Getty Images

There will be four minutes of time added on at the end of the first half.

Sissoko drives Newcastle forward but his run is brought to an end by Baines. The visitors have a throw and it's worked out to Ben Arfa, but his effort is saved by Howard. He struck it well but the American saw it all the way. Still a distinct lack of imagination in the final third.

It has to be said that Everton have been very impressive so far this evening, but Newcastle have also been the architects of their own demise with some pretty poor defending. What can Alan Pardew say to inspire his players at the break? At the moment, it looks as though the Toffees will jump into fourth place this evening, although anything can happen in football. This would have to be a monumental turnaround, though.

The blame cannot be laid squarely at Newcastle's defending; they have been devoid of ideas all over the park. Everton have been the polar opposite; full of running and enthusiasm, with players wanting to get involved.

Romelu Lukaku... two goals, one assist. A massive presence up front. I think he's already bagged the Man of the Match award... barring a second-half miracle from a Newcastle player.

Everton actually enjoyed slightly less possession in the first half, seeing 49% of the ball. It's what they did with it that counts. Click here to read the report of a great first half from the hosts, and an equally - if not more - distressing 45 minutes for the visitors.

14 - Romelu Lukaku has now scored 14 PL goals in 2013, only Benteke (18), Sturridge (15) & RVP (15) have more. Loaned. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 30, 2013

Do you think Jose Mourinho would ever admit that loaning Romelu Lukaku out to Everton might have been a mistake? I think not, but in his heart of hearts...

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Mike Williamson and Yohan Cabaye come on to replace Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Newcastle get the second half underway. Hatem Ben Arfa's withdrawal, you'd have to think, is down to an injury. It's be a stretch to say he impressed in the first half, but certainly did more than any other Newcastle player.

OFF THE POST! Let off for Everton. Anita catches them cold with a lovely ball through the middle for Gouffran, but his dink over Howard comes back off the post.

MISS! Everton go down the other end and nearly add to their lead through Osman! Krul got his fingertips to Mirallas's low drive but he is denied by a last-ditch clearance.

Wow... what was an absolute screamer from Cabaye! The Frenchman wound up from all of 25 yards and found the top corner of Howard's net with a thunderous effort that seemed to accelerate in mid-air. Hope for Newcastle!

Everton are looking for a fourth here, but there is space for Remy to run into at the back. He chases a long ball but Jagielka does just enough to get the ball back to Howard.

Newcastle have shown far more purpose since the restart, they look a totally different team. All of a sudden there's some urgency when they attack. Santon puts in a dangerous cross towards Remy but Jagielka gets his head to it. Anita then has a go from just outside the area but Howard is behind it.

Gouffran turns Coleman superbly wide on the left but drags his shot wide of Howard's near post. Nice play, until the finish...

BOOKING! Cheick Tiote is the first Newcastle player into the book this evening.

Newcastle are in Everton's face now, rather than cowering as they did in the first 45 minutes. Far more open game now as the visitors chase it and the hosts look to kill it.

Coleman teases Gouffran and Santon once again down the right-hand side and tees up Lukaku from outside the area, but Newcastle get bodies in the way. The Irish full-back has a go himself but he too cannot find a route through the mass.

Cabaye appears to be clutching the top of his thigh. That's not good news for the Magpies.

SHOT! Lovely move by Everton, who seem to have re-established control of the match. Coleman and Mirallas combine to feed Lukaku inside the area, but the Belgian fires high and wide from 18 yards out.

Cabaye slips the ball into the area for Remy but the Frenchman's effort is poor. Pardew is about to make his final change of the evening...

NEWCASTLE SUB: It's Vurnon Anita who makes way for Papiss Cisse. An attacking change from the Magpies coach.

It looks like Roberto Martinez is going to respond in kind with an attacking change of his own, as Gerard Deulofeu is stripped and ready to enter the fray.

EVERTON SUB: Kevin Mirallas makes way for Deulofeu, who gets his second taste of Premier League football.

SHOT! Good work from McCarthy to tee up Barkley from shooting distance, but the newly-capped England international fires wildly over the bar.

Tiote trips Coleman on the edge of the area. The crowd murmur in anticipation as Leighton Baines steps up to take it...

Baines has a dip but can't find the top corner.

BOOKING! Barry becomes the latest player to receive a caution for a late tackle. Nothing malicious, but a deserved yellow nonetheless.

A mazy run by Deulofeu, who is wowing the Goodison faithful yet again! He skips his way to the byline but his cross doesn't find a blue shirt. The ball falls nicely for Baines just outside the area but he doesn't quite get hold of his shot.

Cabaye's strike at goal is blocked by the arm of Barry. It's a free kick just outside the area, and a chance for Cabaye to maybe teach Baines a thing or two...

The Frenchman hits the wall with his shot.

Baines free Deulofeu down the left, and the Barca loanee shows blistering speed to pull away from the Newcastle defence, but Krul is out well to snuff out the danger.

EVERTON SUB: Steven Naismith comes on to replace Ross Barkley. The teenager got his first goal at Goodison Park this evening, the first of many I'm sure...

Awful defending from Everton to allow Remy to poke home a second goal for the Magpies. They stood still as a long ball was pumped into the area, and the French striker showed doggedness to battle past Distin and restore yet more hope for the visitors. Howard also failed to spot the danger.

Four minutes of time added on for Newcastle to snatch an unlikely equaliser.

SHOT! Everton are on edge as Newcastle pour forward looking for a third goal. It's Gouffran who eventually takes a shot that Howard sees over the bar.

McCarthy plays in Deulofeu, who chases the lost cause and eventually brings a save from Krul. Something of nothing there.

Well they had to hang on in the end but there's no doubt that Everton deserve the three points. They lost control of the match for 15 minutes after the break but res-established themselves thereafter. Remy's goal set up a nervy finish but in the end it's Everton who remain unbeaten and rise to fourth in the Premier League.

Click here to read the story of the match.

Thanks for joining us at Sports Mole this evening. Come back again soon!