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Magpies salvage a point in Kinnear's first game in charge

05/10/2008

Newcastle United came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park.

Joe Kinnear's first game as interim boss began badly with Mikel Arteta's penalty and Marouane Fellaini's strike putting the home side in cruise control.

But goals from Stephen Taylor and Damien Duff see the Magpies end their run of five straight losses.

Kinnear, sitting in the directors' box due to a touchline ban, saw his side make a poor start with Everton dominating possession. Yakubu fired over after being sent clear by Stephen Pienaar while the Nigerian striker failed to find the target from eight yards out minutes later.

The home side's dominance was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty on 19 minutes when Nicky Butt tripped Leighton Baines, who looked off-side when he received the ball. Mikel Arteta stepped up to slot his spot-kick past Shay Given to give David Moyes' men the lead.

Newcastle responded well to falling behind with Tim Howard denying Danny Guthrie and Damien Duff with fine saves, while Baines hacked Taylor's shot off the line.

Baines continued to be involved in the thick of the action and set-up Everton's second goal when his cross was flicked in by Fellaini for his first goal for the Toffees.

In the last few seconds of stoppage time, Newcastle got themselves back in the game when Geremi's cross was headed in by Taylor off the underside off the bar.

The Magpies continued where they left off and grabbed an equaliser after 53 seconds of the second half when Taylor's cross was tapped in by Duff from eight yards.

Everton weathered the storm and then carved out chances of their own with Leon Osman’s venomous effort was tipped around the post by Given.

In the closing stages, Michael Owen should have scored when he failed to connect with Fabricio Coloccini flick-on while Charles N'Zogbia's shot was superbly blocked by Baines on his goal-line on 78 minutes.

A furious Kinnear marched down to the tunnel to speak to his coaching staff before being led away by a policeman. His mood would not have been helped by Shola Ameobi sliding a shot wide of the left-hand post.

In the dying minutes, Yakubu's header struck Coloccini and was saved by Given as the Magpies clung on for a point.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth beat Stoke City 2-1 at Fratton Park after goals from Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.