Everton 1-0 Newcastle: Toothless Toon beaten by 10-man Toffees in 99th minute
A rotten game and disastrous end to a match that looked to be in the palm of our hand, as Everton's 10-men popped up with a 99th minute winner on Merseyside.
The Blues had Allan controversially sent off with 20 minutes of the game remaining, but we couldn't capitalise and conceded to an avoidable Alex Iwobi goal that sent Goodison wild.
We were the better side in the first half, going close from several corners, dominating the ball (64%) and seeing Wood fail to convert two headers he could and should have done better with.
A win would send us above Leicester and Brighton and just a point away from the top half, however we spurned the chance to do so in some style, looking laboured and lacking in ideas in attack, slow to react at the back and like a side who were physically and mentally drained from four games in 12 days.
The result leaves us nine points clear of the relegation zone, with Everton (17th) moving three points clear of Watford in 18th.
STARTING 11: Dubravka - Krafth, Schar (c), Burn, Targett - Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton - Almiro, Wood, Fraser.
SUBS: Darlow, Lascelles, Dummett, Manquillo, Ritchie, Longstaff, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Gayle.
Eddie Howe reverted back to four in defence and made FOUR changes, seeing Emil Krafth, Joelinton, Joe Willock and Ryan Fraser come in for Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy.
Allan Saint-Maximin started the game on the bench once again, but there was no Jonjo Shelvey after he failed to recover from falling ill over the weekend.
Everton were the better side in the opening stages. There was an intensity about their play and the crowd were bang up for it, yet a few big chances came our way just before the 10 minute mark.
First, Krafth got into a great position down the right after a brilliant ball from Bruno got him in behind. The Swede's cut-back was almost tapped in, then Wood headed a big chance straight at Begovic after he was picked out by an inviting cross from Fraser; who was also found via another quality Guimaraes pass.
Both teams looked fully committed and there were fouls being committed every other minute as a result, but another chance came our way on the 18 minute mark, as a perfectly weighted first time ball from Willock put Fraser in behind. The Scot burst through and almost got a shot away, however a much needed recovery run from Coleman came to Everton's rescue.
A run of three successive corners then followed; one of which was a nightmare to defend as Targett's superb delivery flashes across Begovic's six-yard box.
Another corner was then won after some good work between Targett and Fraser and another chance came Wood's way; only this time he couldn't keep it on target after climbing highest once again.
Everton's bright start was a distant memory at this point and we were very much on top and looking the better side as we approached the half-hour mark, having the better chances, six shots to their one and 69% possession.
Targett then showed his quality once again with a lovely ball down the line to release Joelinton, who forced a corner after his low cut-back was blocked by Holgate.
The hosts hung on after another good ball was whipped in, however it was backs against the wall stuff from the Blues; who were getting an earful from fans being comfortably out-sung by the travelling Toon Army.
The half-time whistle went and the two sides left the field at 0-0.
We'd been the better side, having 64% of the ball, more shots, more corners and completing more passes, but the fact we had barely tested Begovic told.
Neither manager made changes at the break, but there was a feeling that one of Allan Saint-Maximin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be introduced at any stage to add some much needed quality in the final third.
The first chance of the second half fell to Willock. He ran just off Wood, latched onto his flick on and hit a tame shot straight at Begovic which lacked pace or direction - a moment that was soon followed by an Everton fan attaching himself to the goalpost via cable ties around his neck...
When he was finally released via a pair of bolt cutters, the game got back underway after a break in play of almost eight minutes.
The game was crying out for an injection of quality and Schar tried to offer that by carrying the ball out from defence. However, he had his pocket picked and Everton broke down the side he left open; only for Richarlison to be beaten for pace and power as bid Dan Burn eased him out the way right in front of our away fans.
The stop-start nature of the game was pretty grim to watch, however it suddenly came to life in the 69th minute.
First, Gray had a stinging shot superbly blocked by Burn, before we went straight down the other end as Almiron burst past Godfrey and cut the ball back for Guimaraes. He dragged his shot and it fell to Wood, who was flagged for offside.
That was actually Almiron's last act as Allan Saint-Maximin entered the field for the final 25 minutes, with Everton responding by bringing on Calvert-Lewin just moments later.
The Blues then won a free-kick in a dangerous area as Krafth brought down Richarlison right on the edge of the box. Gordon stepped up and his low free kick was deflected behind for a corner, which was headed clear by Joelinton before the Everton winger had another pop; this time forcing Dubravka to tip over.
We survived another scare barely a minute later as Calvert-Lewin was inches away from converting Richarlison's ball across the box, with Everton fans then calling for a penalty soon after when Coleman went down under a challenge from Guimaraes.
Saint-Maximin burst clear from that very attack and was cynically wiped out by Everton's Allan. It looked like one of those blatant yellows, but the lack of attempt to play the ball and wild nature of his lunge meant VAR asked Craig Pawson to take a look. He went to the pitch-side monitor, overturned the yellow and showed the former Napoli man a straight red.
So, with well over 15 minutes remaining, we had the man advantage and a huge chance to inflict more misery on an Everton side who really needed a win.
We had to move the ball quicker and stretch a tiring Everton side, who were almost undone as Willock saw a low shot saved by Begovic before the resultant corner was almost converted by Schar.
Howe then made his second change, bringing on Manquillo for Krafth just after 14 minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official, giving us time to find a winner if we could finally show a bit more quality in the final third.
Guimaraes was showing glimpses of real quality - both on and off the ball - but our attacks were a little too slow and predictable; and Everton did the unthinkable with 98 minutes on the clock.
Saint-Maximin was shrugged off the ball too easily, Calvert-Lewin held the ball, allowed Iwobi to run beyond him and the former Arsenal man slid the ball past Dubravka after running clear of our midfield and finishing well to send Goodison Park wild.
We had ourselves to blame and had no response in the final few minutes, seeing Everton come away with a monumental win that was greeted with huge roars from the Blue end of Merseyside.
A poor display lacking in any real quality and reminder that we have plenty of work to do yet, despite the upturn in form in 2022.
Next up, a 17-day gap before we travel to Tottenham two weeks on Sunday.
