Dele Alli was handed his Everton debut earlier than expected after Demarai Gray was forced off with an injury against Newcastle United.
And the Blues' defensive problems piled up after Yerry Mina also came off injured just past the half-hour mark.
Alli, who was ineligible to face Brentford in the FA Cup on Saturday, was named on the bench for tonight's crunch league clash with Newcastle.
The 25-year-old was named among the substitutes but was called from the bench by manager Frank Lampard after less than 25 minutes gone at St James' Park.
Gray had tried to shake off what appeared to be a groin problem but slumped to the surface and made it known he was unable to continue.
Dele, who had already been warming up as the bench grew concerned over Gray's fitness, was brought on to make his Blues' bow.
Fellow new-boys Donny van de Beek, Anwar El-Ghazi and Nathan Patterson are also on the bench but Vitalii Mykolenko missed the game through illness.
Mina, meanwhile, had wanted to stay on but was replaced by Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton went in front in the 36th minute through a Jamaal Lascelles own goal only to be pegged back immediately after by a Mason Holgate own goal.
Newcastle scored twice after the break to win 3-1.
