Season 2008-2009

EVERTON

2 v 2

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Taylor 45
Duff 47

Post Match Comments:

Everton manager David Moyes:
"If we can go in two up at half-time my team-talk is a lot different to what it was at 2-1.

"Newcastle deserved a draw, but for 45 minutes we were well on top, playing well enough, and we're maybe a bit disappointed to score two.

"We had the game won and we didn't take all three points."
Listen in full to watch David Moyes had to say

Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear:
"Half-time was about lifting the players and getting ourselves back in the game.

"Taylor's goal was the crucial one, scored more-or-less on half-time, 'Duffy' then sticks another in.

"We're unfortunate because they kicked two off the line, but it's a great start and stops the rot - we've lost five games out of the last seven and this will give us a boost."
Listen in full to what Joe Kinnear had to say

Newcastle fought back from two goals down to earn a draw away at Everton in Joe Kinnear's first match in charge.

Mikel Arteta's penalty gave Everton a deserved lead before Marouane Fellaini made it two with a neat finish.

Steven Taylor inspired Newcastle's comeback, heading in on the stroke of half-time, and then crossing for Damien Duff to equalise after the break.

Leighton Baines blocked Charles N'Zogbia's shot as Everton claimed their first home point of the season.

While the point was probably a fair result for both sides, it did little to boost either club's Premier League position.

Interim Magpies boss Kinnear was forced to watch from the stands as he served a touchline ban issued while he was in charge of Nottingham Forest four years ago.

And he watched his side start like a team who had lost their previous four league matches, with the players looking drained of confidence.

In contrast, Everton, showing little ill-effect from their midweek Uefa Cup exit, were much brighter and Steven Pienaar set Aiyegbeni Yakubu up for the first meaningful chance, but the Nigerian lifted his shot over the bar.

He should have given his side the lead just a few minutes later but could only guide Fellaini's flick wide of Shay Given's goal after turning Claudio Cacapa.

Newcastle rallied as N'Zogbia drilled a low shot wide, but it was the home side that went ahead after Baines had been chopped down in the area by Nicky Butt.

Arteta, given the captain's armband in the absence of Phil Neville, coolly stepped up and sent Given the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Everton continued to press and they exposed Newcastle's defensive frailties 10 minutes before half-time as Baines's cross from the left was guided past Given by Fellaini for his first goal for Everton.

Newcastle looked out of it, but captain Taylor handed his side a lifeline in first-half stoppage time as his powerful header from Geremi's cross rebounded off the underside of the bar and over the line.

The chance lifted Newcastle and they were in the ascendancy at the start of the second half.

Less than two minutes after the restart they were level, Taylor this time turning provider as his low right-wing cross was tapped home by Duff from eight yards.

The goals breathed new life into Newcastle, who began to look like a completely different side from that of recent weeks, and Duff's shot was blocked as they pressed for a third.

Everton regrouped and Leon Osman tested Given with a fierce first-time shot that the Newcastle goalkeeper superbly tipped round the post.

However, Newcastle continued to press and Owen had a chance to put his side in front, but he failed to connect properly with Fabricio Coloccini's knock down.

Shola Ameobi danced his way into the penalty box and squared for N'Zogbia, but Baines was on hand to block his effort off the line.

Everton responded once more and Victor Anichebe went close, before Yakubu's goalbound header hit Coloccini and rebounded into the arms of a grateful Given as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

AUSSIE MAGS By Row 'S' Army