Newcastle dream run in EPL continues

Newcastle: Ryan Taylor scored a phenomenal volley to help Newcastle United continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League, with the Magpies earning a 2-1 victory over Everton in a thrilling encounter at St James' Park.

Leon Best made a return to the starting XI for the Toon due to a hamstring injury which sidelined Shola Ameobi. He was partnered upfront by the currently prolific Demba Ba, who has already netted two hat-tricks for the Toon this season.

The Toffees kept a side largely unchanged from their defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday, with the exception of the return of Royston Drenthe – who has served a suspension for seeing red against Chelsea – in place of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and Phil Neville replacing the suspended Marouane Fellaini.

The first real chance of the game fell to the Merseysiders just before the 10-minute mark, as Royston Drenthe crossed from the left and Louis Saha's flick on fell to Seamus Coleman at the far post. The young midfielder should have done better, but hit his shot wide, failing to test Tim Krul.

The deadlock was then broken when right-back Danny Simpson whipped in a dangerous cross from the right wing, and a mis-communication between John Heitinga and goalkeeper Tim Howard saw the Dutch centre-back slice the ball into his own net.

The home side began to dominate possession and put real pressure on David Moyes' men after the goal, and eventually their persistence led to another chance. Yohann Cabaye played a ball over the top of the Toffees’ defence to Demba Ba, but the striker’s poor touch allowed Phil Jagielka to recover and make a tackle.

Against the run of play, Everton then managed to manufacture three chances in quick succession. The best by far fell to Louis Saha who ran free of the home defence after an aerial ball beat the Toon defence. However, the Frenchman dwelt on the ball, allowing Steven Taylor to pressure him into squandering his shot.

Moments later, David Moyes' men were made to rue their missed chances after a failed clearance from a Newcastle throw-in fell to Ryan Taylor on the edge of the area. The left-back had no right to score, but after Drenthe failed to close him down the he smashed an unstoppable volley, leaving Howard helpless.

In spite of the Toon piling on the pressure, the Merseysiders continued to create chances. Phil Neville struck a shot from the edge of the area which fell to Saha, who could only manage to poke his snapshot onto the post. The ball eventually fell to Royston Drenthe, who shot wide from a narrow angle.

Taylor continued to pile the pressure on Tony Hibbert down the left flank. The Englishman attempted a floating cross with his left foot which somehow beat Howard, but fortuitously bounced off the top of the away side's crossbar.

Minutes later, the Toffees defence again failed to effectively clear the ball, leaving Danny Guthrie with a chance to volley from the edge of the box. The ball took a long time to fall for the midfielder, giving Hetinga time to get a block in.

In spite of the pressure from Newcastle, Everton refused to give up. On the stroke of half-time, they won their first corner of the match after a strong run down the right flank. Jack Rodwell ran to the front post to meet the ball and nod it past Krul.

Newcastle began the second and continuing to pile the pressure on Moyes' men. The first chance came as the ball fell to Guthrie on the edge of the box, but the midfielder did not have time to settle and shot high and wide.

Moments later, Saha was presented with a chance to equalise after Drenthe found him on the edge of the box. The former Manchester United man hit a powerful, low shot but Steven Taylor managed to deflect it wide.

On the 60-minute mark the end-to-end nature of the game was perfectly illustrated, with Tim Cahill getting a shot on target which Krul saved comfortably, before Sammy Ameobi smashed high and wide at the other end.

As ever, the Merseysiders refused to give up and were relentless in attacking the Magpies' goal. But the equaliser failed to materialise, with Louis Saha missing a late chance and Tim Cahill failing to connect with a cross.