Jack Colback scored his first Newcastle United goal in the Magpies' 3-2 win over Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
Arouna Kone's first Everton goal left the visitors with a fifth-minute lead, but strikes from Papiss Cisse, Ayoze Perez and Colback moved the home side 3-1 ahead.
Kevin Mirallas scored a second for Everton late on, but Newcastle held on to secure their first league win in four matches.
The result has moved the home side into ninth in the table, while Everton remain 12th.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Premier League rivals.
Match statistics
NEWCASTLE
Shots: 10
On target: 5
Possession: 53%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 12
EVERTON
Shots: 9
On target: 2
Possession: 47%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 7
Was the result fair?
In truth, Newcastle deserved to just about shade it at St James' and that was indeed what occurred. Everton started the brighter and rightly took the lead early on, but the Toffees failed to build on their early advantage and consequently allowed Newcastle back into the match. The final scoreline suggests that Everton were desperately unlucky, but they did not create too many clear chances and scored with their only two efforts on target.
Newcastle, meanwhile, could and should have made the score more comprehensive in the final minutes, but passed up some good opportunities to put the game to bed. Both sides were fatigued from their Boxing Day exploits, but still put on a feast of football, which just about produced the correct outcome.
Newcastle's performance
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew must not know whether he is coming or going at the moment. There were boos around the stadium when Everton took a fifth-minute lead, but all was fine when Cisse levelled the scores in the latter stages of the half. Pardew freshened up his side on Sunday and those that were introduced, especially Cisse, made a difference. It was the type of match where the third goal was always going to be vital and when the home side scored it, they were in control for long spells.
Colback's third should have led to a comfortable final 20 minutes for the Magpies, but some sloppy defending from Mike Williamson, who had earlier set up Cisse's goal, allowed Mirallas to break through and hand Everton some hope. There were a lot of positives for the home side at St James', however, with Colback, Perez and Moussa Sissoko among those that impressed. It has been a very up-and-down season for Newcastle thus far, but they currently sit in the top half of the table.
Everton's performance
Everton entered the match having lost four of their last six league games, but as mentioned, the Toffees made the perfect start after just five minutes. Kone's first Everton goal should have raised their spirits, but instead the visitors allowed Newcastle back into the match, while poor defending ultimately cost them in the second period. At times, the away side lined up with three centre-backs, and Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines in wide areas, but the Merseyside outfit never looked comfortable.
Kone took his chance to impress, but Samuel Eto'o failed to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku, who remained on the bench deep into the second period. Everton looked a more dangerous side when Mirallas entered the field, but it was too little, too late despite the Belgian scoring a brilliant goal in the latter stages. Everton were so strong defensively last season, but have now conceded 31 times in the league, which is the second-worst record at this stage of the campaign behind Queens Park Rangers.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Ayoze Perez: It is understood that Perez had the chance to join Real Madrid from Tenerife in the summer, but the Spaniard instead chose Newcastle. The Magpies are now reaping the benefits as Perez warms to life in England. The 21-year-old was again impressive against Everton - netting his side's second of the match and rattling the post late on. The forward looked capable of making something happen each time he had possession of the ball.
Biggest gaffe
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley will be a fantastic player in the coming years, but he had a bit of a horror in the second period at St James'. The England international attempted to clear a through pass from Daryl Janmaat, but instead presented the ball straight to Colback, who steadied himself before finishing into the bottom corner. It was a disappointing moment for the youngster.
Referee performance
Referee Craig Pawson had a fairly comfortable afternoon at St James' - issuing just four yellow cards and remaining on top of things throughout the contest. That said, Everton will argue that Cisse should have been sent off in the first period for an elbow on Coleman. Replays showed that there was contact and it would certainly have impacted the final result.
What next?
Newcastle: Next up for the Magpies is a home league match against Burnley on New Year's Day.
Everton: The Toffees, meanwhile, travel to Hull City on Thursday.
Matt Law
