Alan Pardew rues 'soft' free kick call

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has hit out at referee Martin Atkinson for awarding Everton a "soft" free kick against his side on Wednesday night.

Having led the match through Papiss Cisse, the Toffees came from behind with goals from Leighton Baines and Victor Anichebe to beat the Magpies 2-1 at St James' Park.

Baines's equaliser came from a dead-ball situation awarded when Fabricio Coloccini clashed with Marouane Fellaini, but Pardew believes that the decision was the wrong one.

"It's a soft decision. [Fellaini's] 6'5", he's hustling and bustling and giving as good as he gets, which you'd expect from a player of his ability," said Pardew.

"I just thought it was something and nothing.

"Unfortunately for us it's four or five minutes before half time and it's knocked the wind out of our sails. It was a key moment."

Newcastle face a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday.