Anthony Gordon saw a first-half penalty saved as Newcastle United were held to a goalless draw by Everton at Goodison Park.
The former Toffees forward, who netted from the spot at home to Manchester City last weekend, could not repeat the trick against his old club as Jordan Pickford pulled off a 35th-minute save to delight the home crowd and lay the foundation for a hard-fought point.
Bruno Guimaraes had earlier seen a goal-bound shot cleared off the line while Sean Dyche’s side had a header from Abdoulaye Doucoure chalked off by VAR for a clear offside.
Newcastle continued to dominate following the restart, but The Toffees nearly pinched the lead 23 minutes from time when substitute Idrissa Gueye fired over after Nick Pope had denied Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Gordon then blew a big chance to redeem his failure from the spot when he rifled over to ensure the match ended all square.
The result means Newcastle miss the chance to rise into the top four and sit in sixth spot, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Everton are unbeaten in their last three and lie 16th, two points above the drop zone.
Next up, The Toffees visit Ipswich Town following the international break, while Newcastle host Brighton.
Talking Point – Honours even as Gordon’s latest Goodison return ends in disappointment
It was a fixture that ultimately lacked quality, particularly in the final third. For Evertonians, there is a relief that a former hero did not score from the spot and set them on the path to another defeat. Instead, Pickford stood tall to come to the rescue and ensure the green shoots of recovery continue to sprout after a dismal start to the campaign saw them lose their first four Premier League matches.
Newcastle will be frustrated not to have made the most of a series of good openings in the final third with the absence of the injured Alexander Isak very notable in this encounter. Indeed, The Magpies couldn’t mark Eddie Howe’s 300th Premier League match as a manager with a victory, but they head into the international break content with a fine overall start that has seen them lose just one of their opening nine fixtures in all competitions.
Player of the Match
Jordan Pickford (Everton). It wasn’t a game where the Everton shot-stopper was called into regular action, but he always came up trumps when it mattered, particularly in winning the mental battle with his England team-mate Gordon to keep out a first-half penalty.
Player Ratings
EVERTON: Pickford 8*, Garner 7, Tarkowski 6, Keane 8, Young 7, Mangala 6, Doucoure 8, Harrison 6, McNeil 7, Ndiaye 8, Calvert-Lewin 6. Subs: Gueye 6, Iroegbunam 6,
NEWCASTLE: Pope 7, Trippier 7, Hall 7, Schar 7, Burn 7, Tonali 6, Guimaraes 7, Joelinton 8, Murphy.J 7, Barnes 7, Gordon 7. Subs: Almiron 6, Willock 6, Longstaff 6, Livramento 6.
Match Highlights
10’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Ndiaye somehow knocks Guimaraes’s effort off the line after the Brazilian had met a Tonali flick-on from a left-wing corner on the volley.
35’ – NEWCASTLE PENALTY SAVED! Pickford dives to his left to keep out Gordon’s weak spot-kick with his knee. The penalty was awarded after VAR asked the referee to consult the pitch-side monitor regarding Tarkowski’s challenge on Tonali.
67’ – EVERTON CHANCES! Pope makes a brilliant stop to deny Calvert-Lewin with the Everton forward tumbling in the follow-up under pressure from Burn. Gueye then puts the rebound over the top.
VAR concurs with the referee not to award a spot kick as DCL kicked Burn’s calf as he tried to mop up the keeper’s parry.
82’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Gordon spins in to Almiron’s lovely pass but rifles over the top from an inviting position on the right side of the area.
Key Stat
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