In a game that has been dubbed as Everton's most important for 20 years by some pundits, the Toffees fans made sure it was a raucous atmosphere in the early stages at Goodison Park.
But it was Newcastle who started the better and quickly quietened down the crowd. Chris Wood could only head a searching cross from Ryan Fraser into the grateful arms of Asmir Begovic and then Fraser was denied by a last gasp Seamus Coleman block as he bore down on Begovic's goal.
Corners caused the hosts some issues as an in-swinging Matt Targett provoked panic in the Everton penalty area before a Fraser delivery from the other side was headed over by Wood. Fabian Schar then tried an audacious chip from a free-kick from the halfway line but Begovic managed to backpedal in time to prevent a goal.
