Newcastle United entered their Boxing Day clash with an out-of-form Everton at St James' Park needing a point to move out of the bottom three in the Premier League table.
Both teams had chances in an open first period, but the score remained level at the mid-point of the match.
It was a similar story in the second 45 minutes, with both passing up opportunities to make the breakthrough in front of a packed support on Tyneside.
Everton stole the points in the third minute of stoppage time, however, when Tom Cleverley headed home from a half-cleared corner.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from St James' Park as Newcastle welcome an out-of-form Everton team. The 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League are drawing to a close, but there is still this match and then Southampton against Arsenal to come this evening. Incidentally, you can also join me for the Southampton clash after this one. It is a busy night ahead here!
Everton have actually only lost one of their last seven Premier League games against Newcastle, but that occurred (3-2) in the corresponding league match last season. The Toffees have put together five wins during that strong run of form, but Newcastle have won 12 Premier League home games against Everton – only against Aston Villa (14) have they won more at St James' Park.
Right, kickoff inside this famous stadium is now little over 50 minutes away and the team news from both sides has just been announced. Let me bring you up-to-speed with the news here...
TEAMS:
NEWCASTLE: Elliot; Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbemba, Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Wijnaldum; Perez, Mitrovic
EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Barkley, Cleverley; Lennon, Lukaku, Mirallas
So there we have it. Newcastle boss Steve McClaren has made two changes to his attack this afternoon, with Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic replacing Papiss Cisse and Siem de Jong. Cisse misses out altogether with a groin problem, but De Jong is on the bench. Those are the only two changes from the draw with Aston Villa last time out, which means that Rob Elliot continues in goal behind a back four of Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba, Fabricio Coloccini and Paul Dummett.
Everton, meanwhile, also make two changes as Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas replace Arouna Kone and Gerard Deulofeu in the starting XI. In-form Romelu Lukaku will once again lead the line for the Toffees, while Phil Jagielka's continued absence means that John Stones is once again partnered by Ramiro Funes Mori in central defence. Under-pressure stopper Tim Howard is also selected.
Before I continue, we have some full-times from the Premier League. The league leaders have been beaten, while Chelsea have been held at home by Watford. Final scores to follow...
FULL-TIMES: Stoke 2-0 Man United, Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham, Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace, Chelsea 2-2 Watford, Liverpool 1-0 Leicester, Man City 4-1 Sunderland, Swansea 1-0 West Brom, Tottenham 3-0 Norwich
Right, sole focus on matters at St James' Park now! Newcastle will enter the match in 18th position in the table after Swansea's 1-0 win over West Brom. The Aston Villa result (1-1) last weekend would have been seen as disappointing, but Steve McClaren's side have won two of their last three in the league – 2-0 against Liverpool at St James' and 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur.
The last three results have eased some of the pressure on McClaren, whose team were thumped at home by Leicester City and then away to Crystal Palace towards the end of November. It is shaping up to be a tough season for the Magpies once again, but that should really not be the case when running through their squad. Sure, defensively they are a little bit suspect, but there is a lot of talent in the final third of the field. A certain Ayoze Perez currently has plenty of suitors in the Premier League.
Newcastle's soft under-belly is also shown by the fact that they have dropped more points from winning positions than any other Premier League team this season (12). They did not win any of their first four home games in the league, but have only lost one of their last five on their own turf and that was to league leaders Leicester last month. St James' is becoming a tough place to visit again!
This match will take on even more importance when considering Newcastle's upcoming run of games. They will travel to West Brom on Monday, before facing Arsenal, Watford and Manchester United in their next three. Defeat here and a poor start to the year would increase the pressure on McClaren.
Finding the back of the net has been a problem for the Magpies this season, with only 19 goals struck in their 17 matches. Down the other end, they have shipped 32, which is up there with the worst records in the division. Their last clean sheet came against Liverpool at the start of the month in what was their best performance of the season. Kickoff is fast approaching on Tyneside.
As for Everton, they have wobbled in recent weeks. Roberto Martinez's side have only won one of their last five in the league and that was at home to Aston Villa last month. Since then, they have drawn with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Norwich, and were beaten 3-2 at home to Leicester time out.
That run of form has left the Toffees in 11th position in the table and like Newcastle, they have a tough run of fixtures ahead. They will welcome a strong Stoke City on Monday, before facing Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea in their next three after that. That said, there is just no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League, those days seem to be long gone!
Not since Dixie Dean in 1927 has an Everton player scored in nine successive games, but Romelu Lukaku has netted in each of his last eight appearances for the Merseyside outfit - seven of which were in the Premier League. Jamie Vardy has already stolen the headlines for his long scoring run this season, but Lukaku is threatening to break it! In his pre-match interview, Magpies boss McClaren picked out the powerful 22-year-old as the biggest threat to his team in this game.
Lukaku also just loves playing against Newcastle, with the Belgian having a hand in nine goals in his last six Premier League appearances against the Magpies – five goals and four assists. If Everton are to return to winning ways this afternoon then you get the feeling that their star striker will need to put in a strong performance. Little over 10 minutes until kickoff in this game.
Scoring goals this season has not been too much of a problem for Everton, who have managed 31 in their 17 games to date. They have conceded 24 times, however, which is a statistic that Martinez will need to address. As it stands, they are nine points off the top four, which is an area of the table that the supporters will certainly be looking at. Right, prediction time at St James'.
PREDICTION! I am struggling to separate these two teams. A case could be made for either to record all the points here, but I am just going to sit on the fence somewhat and back a score draw, hopefully an entertaining one. I fancy Lukaku to notch another goal for Everton in a 1-1 draw.
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. This is the penultimate Premier League match on Boxing Day and the home fans are very much up for it!
KICKOFF! It has been raining all afternoon in Newcastle, which should make this game plenty of fun. I want to see some knee-sliding please. Right, it is the visitors that get this contest underway at St James'...
... Lukaku is immediately involved for Everton as the Belgian battles for possession on the right and manages to win a free kick, which Barkley delivers into the home side's box. Janmaat heads as far as Mirallas, before Newcastle manage to clear when Janmaat comes across to battle Baines.
Everton have made a bright start in terms of territorial advantage and possession, while Newcastle have not really been involved in the opening four minutes. The conditions are pretty dire here!
The free-kick count is rising and Everton are the team enjoying themselves at the moment as Newcastle continue to concede fouls. The visitors have the ball dead centre outside the box...
... Baines has a go, but his effort was always curling over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Everton to take the lead as Mirallas collects a super cross from Coleman before attempting to beat Elliot at his near post, but the home side's goalkeeper is on hand to make a super save with his feet. Everton have started this game really well on Tyneside.
Lukaku goes down inside the box under pressure from Dummett, but the referee is not interested. It would have been very harsh indeed. It is all Everton in terms of attacking pressure here.
Another half-chance for Everton as Coleman breaks into the Newcastle box before rolling a low cross towards Lukaku, but the big striker, along with Mirallas, miss the ball. Newcastle put together a passing sequence down the other end, but Barry is brought to the ground by Janmaat.
BOOKING! Janmaat (Newcastle) is booked for a late challenge on Barry.
Everton continue to dominate this game and indeed continue to threaten in the final third, but Elliot manages to make contact on another cross from Coleman to divert the ball away from Lukaku, who looks so dangerous at the moment. The home supporters are not pleased with their team here!
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this match.
Barkley and Barry are winning the midfield battle for Everton at the moment as Newcastle continue to struggle to make their mark in the final third. The referee has had a very busy opening 17 minutes as late challenges continue to occur and almost all of those have come from Newcastle.
SAVE! Another chance for Everton as space opens up for Mirallas and the Belgian drives forward before releasing a strike on goal, but Elliot gets down well to make another smart stop.
Newcastle have shown a willingness to break forward in the last couple of minutes, but they have not yet tested Howard in the Everton goal. A couple of crosses have come into the away side's box, but Howard has been able to claim under little pressure. Twenty-two played, still goalless.
Lennon has not had too much football for Everton this season, but the Englishman has been excellent in the opening 24 minutes this early evening as he continues to dart past Dummett in a wide position. The only worry for Martinez will be that his team have not yet scored here.
CHANCE! Golden chance for the home side as Janmaat delivers a sensational cross onto the head of Mitrovic, but the striker can only direct his effort wide of the post! Some chance that!
Just a few signs that Newcastle have settled after that difficult start, with the likes of Anita and Colback seeing more of the ball in the middle of the park. Everton continue to exploit the wide positions, however, and Dummett is really struggling against the quick feet of Lennon on the right.
SAVE! Lukaku goes through one-on-one with Elliot, but the Belgian's angle was becoming more difficult by the second and the striker's effort is straight at the Newcastle stopper!
Mitrovic has another half-chance for the home side, but the striker can only angle his header wide of the post. Both teams are threatening to make the breakthrough as this half develops here.
CHANCE! Perez comes close to meeting a flick-on from Mitrovic, but the ball just runs away from the striker and Howard is out to claim. Everton have been the better side in the opening 32 minutes, but both teams have had chances to break the deadlock. It is a really entertaining game!
Mitrovic tries to navigate his way through a crowded box, but Everton just manage to get bodies in the way and the danger is cleared. The home supporters have really woken up now!
BOOKING! Barry (Everton) is booked for a late challenge on Perez.
Another half-chance for the home side as Wijnaldum meets another super cross from Sissoko, but his header was always rising over the crossbar. End-to-end football at the moment, but it would be fair to say that Newcastle are now on top. Everton have just dropped off a little bit here.
In the grand scheme of things, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either of these sides, but Everton are currently four without a win in the Premier League. Coleman continues to drive down the right for the visitors, but his latest cross goes straight behind for a goal kick.
Janmaat catches Barkley from behind and the Newcastle defender has already been booked!
The referee gives Janmaat the benefit of the doubt, but that was a poor decision from the Newcastle right-back, who could well have been given his marching orders! Still goalless here.
Mirallas stands over a free kick outside the Newcastle box, but his effort takes a couple of deflections before landing in the arms of Elliot, who has been very solid in the Newcastle net.
CHANCE! Lennon again breaks down the right for Everton before delivering a cross onto the head of Mirallas, but his effort is just too high. Again Lennon had Dummett on toast there!
HALF-TIME: Newcastle 0-0 Everton
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the scores level at 0-0. Newcastle had their moments during what was an open first period, but Everton really should be ahead after creating a number of good chances. It has been an entertaining half of action here!
STATS! Everton have dominated the possession with 66%, while they had seven attempts in that first period - three of which were on target. Newcastle, on the other hand, had three attempts and all were from decent chances, but Howard has not yet had to make a save in the Everton goal at St James'.
BENCH WATCH! Newcastle are without the injured Cisse this evening, but De Jong, Gouffran and Thauvin are all available for the home team. Everton, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Besic, Deulofeu, Kone and Osman. Will either manager look to their bench at the interval here?
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at St James'? Let's hope so! Newcastle resume the action on Tyneside...
... no changes from either manager in terms of personnel, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of the contest. However, I suspect that both Martinez and McClaren will already have alterations in mind if the score remains all square for the next 15, 20 minutes of this contest.
Coleman delivers another low cross towards Lukaku as Everton threaten in a wide position, but once again, Newcastle manage to survive. Down the other end, Janmaat combines with Perez, but Funes Mori is on hand to make the challenge. Very open start to this second half of action here.
Newcastle have a shout for a penalty as Lukaku appears to head the ball onto the arm of his own teammate Barry, but the referee is not interested - it would have been harsh. In fact, replays show that it caught Barry's shoulder. It is hard to believe that this match is still goalless, but it is!
Newcastle are currently enjoying a good spell of pressure and have another half-chance when Wijnaldum finds space outside the box, but his effort smashes into the body of Funes Mori.
Just a reminder that after this match I will be bringing you live coverage of Southampton against Arsenal so be sure to remain with Sports Mole for that one. Back on Tyneside, there is not too much happening in terms of clear opportunities at the moment as Coleman is flagged offside on the right.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Everton as Lennon delivers a super cross into Cleverley, but the midfielder's low strike is deflected wide by Janmaat, who has really saved his team there!
SAVE! Another super stop from Elliot as the Newcastle stopper gets down to deny Lukaku, who had battled his way into the box. Elliot has been very good again for the home side here.
Another smart stop from Elliot as he gets down to keep out a strike from Lennon!
You just get the feeling that there is at least one goal in this match and it could well be the winner. Both teams are committing numbers forward, but the final pass has been lacking at times here.
BOOKING! Barkley (Everton) is booked for a late challenge on Wijnaldum.
Referee Lee Mason has had a busy game this evening and the official has made some strange decisions it must be said. Players have been booked for some 50/50 challenges, while others have gone unpunished. We are still waiting for the first goal of the match with 65 minutes on the clock.
Both managers are preparing changes as Perez stands over a free kick for Newcastle...
... Everton have a free kick following a coming-together inside the box.
EVERTON SUB! Deulofeu enters the field in place of Barkley, who has been booked.
EVERTON SUB! Lennon is also replaced by Besic.
CHANCE! Perez meets a flick-on outside the Everton box, but his low strike is wide of the post. Still goalless with little under 20 minutes remaining, but you sense that a goal is coming here!
CHANCE! Chance of the match. Stunning work from Sissoko as the Frenchman delivers a cross onto the head of Mitrovic, but the striker powers his header wide of the post. He just had to score!
Everton will feel that they should have entered the interval with at least a one-goal lead, but Newcastle have missed some excellent chances in the second period and all things considered, a point apiece at the moment would be a fair result. Still more than 15 minutes to play here though.
SAVE! Howard gets across to keep out a close-range header from Wijnaldum as the home side once again come close to opening the scoring! Everton are all over the place at the back here!
SAVE! Elliot once again earns his keep for Newcastle as the stopper keeps out a header from Funes Mori, before Lukaku puts the rebound over the crossbar. Both goalkeepers in fine form today!
Besic finds space inside the Newcastle box before the ball falls for Coleman, who attempts to fire one into the far corner, but his effort fizzes wide of the post. Somehow we are still level here!
Deulofeu's pace could prove key in the final 10 minutes of this match, with the Spaniard looking dangerous on the counter for the away team. Everton are really pressing for a goal, but the same can also be said for Newcastle, who continue to deliver high balls into the away side's box.
BOOKING! Colback (Newcastle) is booked for kicking the ball away.
Little over five minutes of this contest remaining and Everton appear to have more about them in the final third. Mirallas dances past three challenges before attempting to fashion a shot on goal, but Coloccini stands strong to make the block. Osman is about to enter for Everton here...
... EVERTON SUB! Osman for Mirallas is Everton's final change.
NEWCASTLE SUB! Perez is replaced by Thauvin for the home side.
We are hearing that there will be three additional minutes at the end of the 90.
Indeed three minutes goes up on the board. Still time for a late winner!
Neither team is settling for a point here, but it does appear that that will be the outcome. Newcastle put the pressure on as Colback slips a pass into Thauvin, but Stones is across on the challenge. It is the home side pushing for a winner as we enter the final 60 seconds or so here.
CHANCE! Stunning, stunning challenge from Mbemba as the Newcastle centre-back gets across at the last minute to challenge Lukaku, who had bundled his way into the box. That looked to be the moment for Everton, but it was a really excellent tackle from the central defender!
GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Everton (Cleverley)
Heartbreak for Newcastle! Everton seem to have won this with just about the final touch of the game as Cleverley heads into an empty net after Elliot had attempted to palm a corner out of the penalty box. It is an incredible moment for Everton, who have stolen all the points here!
FULL-TIME: Newcastle 0-1 Everton
It is indeed heartbreak for Newcastle as Everton win it with virtually the last kick of the match. The hosts remain inside the relegation zone, but Everton have moved into ninth position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Stay with us for Southampton against Arsenal!
