Newcastle United welcomed Everton to St James' Park on Sunday looking to record their first Premier League win in four games.
Arouna Kone's first goal for Everton sent the away side into a fifth-minute lead, but Papiss Cisse levelled the scores after 34 minutes.
Newcastle were ahead after 51 minutes when Ayoze Perez found the bottom corner, before Jack Colback made it 3-1 after 68 minutes.
Kevin Mirallas scored Everton's second late on, but the home side held on to secure all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's Premier League coverage continues from St James' Park as Newcastle United welcome Everton. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from this key league fixture.
TEAMS
NEWCASTLE: Alnwick; Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Perez, Sissoko, Tiote, Colback, Gouffran; Cisse
EVERTON: Joel; Coleman, Distin, Alcaraz, Garbutt; Baines, Barry, McCarthy, McGeady; Eto'o, Kone
So there we have it. In come Mike Williamson, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse for Newcastle this afternoon, with Steven Taylor, Vurnon Anita and Adam Armstrong dropping out of the XI. Ayoze Perez keeps his spot in the team, while Jack Colback and Moussa Sissoko both start in the middle of the park.
Everton, meanwhile, are without first-choice goalkeeper Tim Howard and their captain Phil Jagielka through injury. As a result, Joel Robles starts between the sticks and Luke Garbett comes into the defence. Leighton Baines will seemingly start in midfield, while there is also a starting spot for Arouna Kone.
Everton have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides, including both matches last season. At Goodison Park, the Toffees recorded a 3-2 win, before beating Newcastle 3-0 at St James' Park in March. Everton have also scored 13 times in the last five meetings between the pair.
That said, Newcastle have won 42 of the 79 league meetings between the two sides on home soil – drawing 18 and losing 19 times in the process. Last season, this was a clash between two upwardly-mobile sides, but both teams have struggled for consistency in the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.
Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day made it three straight losses in the league for the Magpies, with that run of form leaving Alan Pardew's side 10th in the table. They were also thumped 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the League Cup on December 17.
Earlier in the season, Newcastle went on a six-match winning run in all competitions – including victories over Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool, but their inconsistency has returned in recent weeks. That said, victory this afternoon would move them into the top half of the table.
In truth, scoring goals has been a problem for Newcastle this season. Papiss Cisse, who starts this afternoon, has hit eight in all competitions, but struggles to last the full 90 minutes, while the likes of Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere have failed to fulfill their promise. In total, Newcastle have managed just 19 goals in their 18 league games. Down the other end, they have conceded 26 times thus far.
That said, Newcastle's defensive record is stronger than Everton's at this stage of the season. The Toffees have conceded 28 times in the league this season – the fourth-worst record in the division, but they have scored 27 times, which has been one of the few positives in the first half of the campaign.
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Newcastle's home form this season has been fairly strong with four wins and just two defeats from their eight matches, but they have won just two of their 10 league games on the road. If the Magpies are to secure a top-10 finish this term then their form at St James' Park will need to be strong.
Everton, however, have problems of their own. Roberto Martinez's side made a strong push for the top four last season, but they are struggling this time around. As it stands, a total of 21 points from 18 matches has left them in 12th spot – 11 points off the top four at this stage of the campaign.
The Toffees have lost four of their last six in the league, while they are on a four-game winless away run. Last time out, the Merseyside outfit lost 1-0 at home to Stoke City – a result that did not please the supporters. They were also beaten comfortably at Southampton in their final match before Christmas.
Incredibly, at this stage of the campaign last season, Everton had only lost twice – which was the fewest in the league. This season, they have already been beaten seven times, which is barely top-half form. A result here, however, would at least offer some encouragement to the club's supporters.
Keeping with last season, Everton had kept eight clean sheets in their first 18 games of the 2013-14 campaign, but they have managed just three this term. In truth, both Jagielka and Distin have struggled to find consistency, while Coleman and Baines are also currently short of their best.
Looking ahead for a moment, Newcastle welcome Burnley to St James' Park on New Year's Day, before travelling to Leicester City in the FA Cup on January 3. Following that clash, the Magpies face Chelsea and then Southampton in a period that could well define their season.
Everton, meanwhile, travel to Hull City on New Year's Day, before welcoming West Ham United in the FA Cup third round on January 6. A home match against the champions Manchester City then follows. Just like for Newcastle, it is a vital period of Everton's season.
PREDICTION! There is no question that this match is vitally important to both teams. Neither is in the best form, but Newcastle will enter as the slight favourites on their own patch. I am finding it difficult to separate the two sides, however, and will therefore back a 1-1 draw at St James'.
Little over five minutes until kickoff and the atmosphere is really building here...
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The home supporters expect this afternoon, but the Everton faithful will be looking for a response from their side.
Gareth Barry will skipper Everton this afternoon, while Coloccini wears the armband for the home side. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway. Let's hope for a cracker in Newcastle.
As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this late afternoon. The home side have taken control of the possession in the early moments, with Coloccini and Williamson enjoying the ball. The latter looks for the run of Cisse beyond Distin, but Joel comes out to clear well down field.
It is an interesting formation for Everton this afternoon, with Baines starting the match in an attacking role. Neither side has been able to gain much of a rhythm in the early moments, however, with both guilty of conceding possession too easily in the final third. Still goalless with four played.
GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Everton (Kone)
Everton take the lead with five minutes on the clock as Kone turns a Coleman cross into the back of the net from close range. Wonderful work from the visitors, who have silenced the home supporters.
That is Kone's first goal in 18 months and indeed his first league strike for Everton - what a decision to bring the forward into the team. Newcastle are just attempting to regain their composure here.
It's good work from Janmaat as the Newcastle right-back drives into the Everton box before attempting to role one towards Cisse, but the Dutchman is crowded out at the vital moment. The home supporters have stayed with their side in the early moments, which is so important at this stage of the match.
Newcastle have a free kick in an advanced area as Barry brings Sissoko to the ground...
... Colback delivers towards the far post, but Distin is on hand to head clear. Eventually the ball falls for Janmaat outside the box, but he lashes wide and Everton have a goal kick with 12 minutes played.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Newcastle to equalise as Cisse flicks a long ball into the path of Sissoko, who only has the goalkeeper to beat, but the Frenchman's touch is too strong and the chance evaporates. What an opportunity for the home side to level the scores at St James'.
Well, it has been an open 15 minutes at St James' - with both teams having chances. Everton have taken theirs, but Newcastle have thus far passed up their good moments. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. In the last two minutes, Newcastle have started to exert some pressure.
Everton are finding it difficult to get out of their own half at the moment as Newcastle continue to force the issue, but the visitors do look solid in defensive areas. Still 1-0 Everton at St James'.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of losing possession in the middle of the park. Not much quality on display at this moment!
Half-chance for the home side as Janmaat delivers a dangerous cross towards the near post, but Distin is on hand to make a crucial block. Perez picks up the pieces moments later, but this time Garbutt makes the challenge. Good pressure from Newcastle as they begin to exploit the wide areas.
Everton are finding it difficult to break up the field at the moment, but the visitors are defending well as another Newcastle attack breaks down in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result. It remains 1-0 Everton.
Alnwick makes a stunning save to deny Coleman, who had broken into the Newcastle box, but the flag had been raised. Alnwick wasn't to know, however, and made a brilliant diving save.
The atmosphere has gone quiet in the last couple of minutes, with neither side offering too much in the final third of the field. It is a little untidy as the challenges continue to arrive from both teams.
BOOKING! Gouffran is booked for a high challenge on Coleman.
BOOKING! McCarthy is booked for chopping down Sissoko outside the box.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Colback, but Garbutt is on hand to make the clearance. Perez delivers the resulting corner, but the referee blows for a foul inside the box. Still 1-0 to the visitors.
Possession football from Everton in the last couple of minutes, with both teams struggling to find their tempo in the final third of the field. In truth, chances have been few and far between this afternoon. However, Everton are looking dangerous in the final third of the field. We need some quality here!
GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Everton (Cisse)
We are all level here! Newcastle equalise with 34 minutes on the clock as Cisse converts from close range following a brilliant pull-back from Williamson, who was unmarked at the far post. That is Cisse's ninth goal of the season. It was not an easy finish, but he made it look straightforward.
Everton look to respond down the other end as Eto'o slides a low pass towards Kone, but Alwick is quick off his line to clear. Suddenly the stadium is alive and we have a proper, proper game on our hands.
Half-chance for Everton as Kone meets a corner from Baines, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and the score is level at 1-1.
The tempo has just dropped in the last couple of minutes, which is not surprising as the first period draws to a close. Both of these sides played on Boxing Day and the second half could be a bit of a slog. Ultimately quality should tell, but there has not been too much intensity for long spells of this first half.
All the 3pm starts in the Premier League have now finished - be sure to have a look at the site for all of the results and reaction over the next couple of hours. At St James', we are still level at 1-1.
Half-chance for the away side as McGeady finds some space outside the Newcastle box before driving one towards the top corner, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at St James'.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead late in the half as Janmaat meets a knockdown from Cisse inside the box, but Distin is across to make a stunning block.
HALF-TIME: Newcastle 1-1 Everton
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Kone sent Everton into a fifth-minute lead with his first goal for the Toffees, but Cisse levelled the scores after 34 minutes. In truth, a draw at this stage of the match is just about a fair reflection of the events.
STATS! Newcastle have shaded the possession with 57%, while they have had three attempts - just one of which has been on target. Everton, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their four attempts. There has also been a couple of bookings in what has been a feisty half.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Cabella, Riviere and Armstrong all in reserve. Everton, meanwhile, have options in the shape of their record-signing Lukaku, Mirallas and Ross Barkley.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner at St James'? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
SUB! Everton have made a change at the break, with Barkley replacing McCarthy.
Fairly muted start to the second period from both teams, which is not much of a surprise. Everton have looked dangerous in wide areas, but Alnwick has been strong from crosses thus far. I wonder whether fatigue will play a part in the second period. These two sides both played just 48 hours ago.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Everton as Barkley drives away from Tiote before finding Kone, who lifts a cross towards Coleman, but the Scot's touch is too heavy and the danger is cleared for a corner. It was wonderful work from Barkley, who drove through the middle of midfield.
SAVE! Joel makes a stunning save to deny Gouffran after the Newcastle attacker had met a cross from the right. Super work from the Everton goalkeeper. Chances at both ends here!
GOAL! Newcastle 2-1 Everton (Perez)
The home side take the lead as Perez finds some space inside the Everton box before firing one into the bottom corner. Joel was rooted to the spot and simply could not move across his goal!
Well, it has been some start to the second period. Newcastle are threatening to run away with it as Sissoko delivers another dangerous cross, but Distin manages to rise above Cisse to clear the danger.
As it stands, Newcastle would move into ninth position in the table. Everton, meanwhile, would remain 12th. I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals, however, as the intensity continues.
Sissoko again leads the charge for the home side as he drives past Barry before sliding a pass into Cisse, but the striker loses control at the vital moment before fouling Alcarez. Everton are back down the other end moments later, but the move breaks down with Eto'o. It is end-to-end football at St James'.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Newcastle lead 2-1. There has been no real chances to speak of in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. You just get the feeling that a third Newcastle goal would end this match as a contest.
SUB! Everton make their second change as McGeady makes way for Mirallas.
As it stands, Everton are heading for their eighth league defeat of the season and there is still no sign of Lukaku. Surely the big Belgian will be introduced at some point in the final 25 minutes. The atmosphere has dropped in the last couple of minutes, which is a reflection of matters on the field.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Everton to level as Baines drives down the left before finding Eto'o inside the box, but the striker fires high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Another chance for Everton as Baines drives a low cross into the near post, but Kone fires wide of the goal. Much better from the visitors in the last couple of minutes here.
GOAL! Newcastle 3-1 Everton (Colback)
Newcastle have their third of the match as Colback capitalises on a poor touch from Barkley before finishing into the bottom corner. Barkley attempted to clear a through ball, but presented Colback with the chance to finish and the midfielder made no mistake. Is that game over now?
Everton cannot seem to put a performance together at the moment and they are heading for another defeat here. We should be in for a cracking final 20 minutes with Everton pushing for a response.
CHANCE! Cisse stings the palms of Joel as Newcastle continue to force the issue. Again it was wonderful work from Sissoko, who has been brilliant in attack for the home side.
BOOKING! Alcaraz is booked for a rash challenge on Sissoko.
SUB! Everton make their third change as Lukaku replaces Kone.
SUB! Newcastle make their first change as Riviere replaces Cisse.
Everton look all over the place at the back as the pressure continues from the home side. This could get a lot worse for the visitors in the finals 15 minutes as Newcastle prepare to bring on more fresh legs.
Perez is again involved for the home side as he finds space down the left before drilling a low cross towards the far post, but there are no takers. Everton are down the other end moments later, but another attack breaks down much to the delight of the home supporters. Still 3-1 with 77 minutes played.
Everton force a couple of corners from the right, but the visitors cannot take advantage and Newcastle restart the play with a dead ball. The visitors have been really disappointing here it must be said.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. However, the referee has not produced a card for some time now.
GOAL! Newcastle 3-2 Everton (Mirallas)
Everton are back in this as Mirallas bursts through on goal before finishing past an advancing Alnwick. Now then - what a final five minutes we have on our hands! Game on at St James' Park!
Everton play around the edge of the Newcastle box, but the latest attack comes to an end when Garbutt fails to find a deep cross. There is still plenty of time for the visitors to snatch an unlikely point.
Everton have a free kick just outside the box as Colback fells Barkley...
... CLOSE! Mirallas curls the resulting free kick towards the top corner, but it just misses the post. Everton were so close to levelling for 3-3. Mirallas has made such a difference here.
Barkley curls a cross high of the far post and Newcastle survive another nervy moment.
SUB! Newcastle make their second change as Cabella replaces Gouffran.
We are into the first of four additional minutes here.
Newcastle have the chance to break following sloppy work from the Everton midfield, but Cabella decides to run into the corner as the clock ticks down. Can Everton find one more chance in this match?
Coleman delivers a low cross into the Newcastle box, but Alnwick is down to claim confidently.
Perez takes a late one from Baines, but the Newcastle faithful will not mind as the clock ticks on...
... CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a fourth as Cabella breaks into the Everton box, but he is denied by Joel, who then keeps out Riviere.
POST! Perez finds space inside the Everton box before drilling one towards the far corner, but his effort smashes the post. Wow!
FULL-TIME: Newcastle 3-2 Everton
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close, with Newcastle holding on to secure all the points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
