Wayne Rooney scores his ninth goal of the season
Wayne Rooney's solitary goal was enough for Everton to win their first Premier League away game since January against luckless Newcastle.
The 32-year-old netted from close range after Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow spilled Aaron Lennon's first-half header, and extended the hosts' winless streak to eight games.
Newcastle's miserable night was compounded deep into injury time when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for an ugly lunge on Idrissa Gueye.
Rafa Benitez's struggling side hit the woodwork twice through Matt Ritchie and Mikel Merino before the break, but always had to be wary of the Merseysiders' Gylfi Sigurdsson-inspired counter-attacks.
Former Magpies manager Sam Allardyce's new club now move level on points with ninth-placed Watford, but Benitez's men are just a point off the bottom three as takeover talks between owner Mike Ashley and a group led by businesswoman Amanda Staveley continue.
Everton had conceded 28 goals before Allardyce's appointment in November, but have tightened up significantly since and a patched-up defence missing captain Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and £25m summer signing Michael Keane have now conceded just once in four games.
They had to weather a late flurry from the hosts who threatened through Christian Atsu and dominated possession in the closing stages but could not find a way past Jordan Pickford.
Reaction from Wednesday's Premier League gamesAllardyce improvements continue Ashley Williams put in a commanding defensive performance at St James' Park
He has postponed the Christmas party while demanding "magic" in return from his players, and so far Allardcye is getting everything he wants at Everton.
There was no sign of sulking from his team on Tyneside, which already seems fitter and more focused than under previous manager Ronald Koeman, despite having a day less to recover than the hosts from the exertions of Sunday's Merseyside derby.
So far as magic goes, Sigurdsson and Rooney are certainly showing some burgeoning alchemy in their link-up play. The Iceland international had struggled for form in the first part of the season but has become increasingly influential since Allardyce's arrival, while Rooney has scored five.
Newcastle must dread facing the former Manchester United striker. He has now been involved in 23 goals in his 23 Premier League appearances against them (15 goals, 8 assists) - more than versus any other opponent.
At the back Ashley Williams, struggling badly for form until Allardyce's appointment, was in dominant mood, while defensive midfielder Gueye was full of endeavour.
Allardyce said he will "pay his players back" for postponing their festive celebrations if their Premier League upturn is intact by January.
At this rate, he'd better have deep pockets.
More to follow.
Source: bbc.com