Everton got off to an awful start. They were unable to get hold of the ball and keep any retain any kind of possession in the early stages. In contrast, Newcastle started the game very brightly creating a couple of chances in the early exchanges. First of all it was Charles N'Zogbia, who was replacing the injured Damien Duff, who blasted the ball over the bar before James Milner wasted a good chance when he screwed a left footed drive wide. However there frustration would soon turn to joy and it would be Everton left frustrated. Everton performed a training ground routine to perfection when the defence stepped up from a free-kick but the linesman somehow missed Ameobi standing a couple of yards offside. Ameobi didn't squander the chance though and cooly slotted hom to make the scoreline 1-0.
The goal didn't have an immediate response with Everton as they still struggled to get any kind of football flowing. But as the half went on the Everton team who have started the season so brightly finally started to show signs of some competent football. A couple of good chances fell to first Joleon Lescott and then Lee Carsley but neither could direct their headers on target. Everton though were not to be denied and just 5minutes before the break Tim Cahill nodded home his 4th goal of the season when he arrived unmarked into the 6 yard box to meet a perfect Mikel Arteta cross.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first with Newcastle being the dominant side in the early stages. However as the half went on the game became more and more open with both sides having opportunities to win the match. Indeed both sides could easily have had a penalty when Scott Parker was held back by Lee Carsley then Titus Bramble tugged away at Andrew Johnson but twice Steve Bennett said no. Bramble though was not to be so lucky just minutes later. He was booked in the first half for a late slidiing challenge on Johnson and then picked up his second booking for a dreadful tackle from behind on Leon Osman. Everton's advantage did not last long though when Tony Hibbert picked up a second booking for a challenge from behind on sub Antoine Sibeirksi.
Both sides missed a couple of half chances late on, Everton through Leon Osman and Newastle through Rossi but a draw was arguably a fair result with both sides having opportunities to win the game.
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