Newcastle United vs. Everton: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Newcastle 3-2 Everton

Papiss Cisse helped to inspire a Newcastle fightback in the win over Everton, but he was fortunate to be on the pitch to make his mark.

The Merseysiders were leading through Arouna Kone's fifth-minute goal when Cisse appeared to elbow Seamus Coleman as the pair jostled in the Everton area.

The referee did not see the incident, however, and Cisse remained on the field to equalise in the 34th minute.

Ayoze Perez was on hand to give Newcastle the lead six minutes after the interval after a mistake by Aiden McGeady before another error by Ross Barkley gifted Jack Colback the chance to make it 3-1 in the 68th minute.

Everton substitute Kevin Mirallas pulled a goal back for the Toffees six minutes from the end to set up a nervy close to the game for Newcastle, but the home side held on for the win.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew made three changes to his team, with Mike Williamson, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse coming in for Steven Taylor, Vurnon Anita and Adam Armstrong.

Roberto Martinez made seven switches to his side after the Boxing Day home defeat to Stoke City as injuries and suspensions took hold, with Romelu Lukaku and Barkley the headline names on the bench.

Kone made his first-ever Premier League start for Everton after an injury-ravaged time at the club since joining in the summer of 2013.

And the former Wigan forward made an immediate impact by opening the scoring in the fifth minute.

McGeady threaded a great ball to Seamus Coleman, and the Republic of Ireland international sent over a low cross into the Magpies' box, where Kone was waiting to fire home.

Cisse almost set up Moussa Sissoko for a chance, but the midfielder's first touch was poor, and Joel Robles came off his line swiftly to clear the danger.

Cisse set himself up for a 16th-minute chance with a fierce drive, but the Senegalese forward was adjudged to be offside.

Newcastle had found their feet in the game after the initial shock of going behind, and they were in the ascendancy as the game wore on.

However, Coleman found space in the 24th minute after waltzing through the Newcastle defence, but his shot from the edge of the area was just wide.

Cisse was fortunate to escape punishment on the half-hour mark after appearing to elbow Coleman inside the Everton area as the pair jostled for a corner.

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

And in the 34th minute, the striker equalised for Newcastle. Tiote sent a cross to the far post, where Williamson did well to pull it back for Cisse, who drilled home.

Barkley was drafted into the Everton line-up in place of James McCarthy for the second period.

Everton were almost caught out early in the second period when Antolin Alcaraz dithered over a Sissoko cross to allow Cisse in, but Robles saved well.

Seconds later, though, Newcastle were ahead. McGeady's loose ball was pounced on by Tiote, who found Perez on the edge of the area, and he fired between the legs of Coleman and past Robles to make it 2-1.

Everton needed to make a switch, and Martinez brought on Kevin Mirallas for McGeady in the 61st minute.

Leighton Baines did well to see off the challenge of Tiote, but Samuel Eto'o fired high over the crossbar from the England international's cross into the area.

But Everton were undone once more by a self-inflicted error. Daryl Janmaat played a ball into the area, but Barkley failed to control the interception, allowing Colback to slip in and slide the ball beyond Robles.

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Martinez switched Kone for Lukaku in a bid to find a way back into the game, while Cisse was applauded from the field as he was replaced by Emmanuel Riviere.

With six minutes left, Everton were granted a lifeline when Baines played a tremendous through ball for Mirallas to run onto and place past Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.

The Belgium international then fired a free-kick just wide to leave the home supporters sweating on the result, but Newcastle held on to claim the win.

Selected Player Ratings

Papiss Cisse: A-

Showed the good and bad sides of his game in just three first-half minutes with unpunished foul on Coleman before scoring the equaliser. Fortunate to still be on the field for his strike.

Arouna Kone: A-

Great opening on his first Premier League start for Everton with fifth-minute goal, but drifted out of the game as the Goodison Park side defended more and more.

Cheick Tiote: A

Solid display from the returning Newcastle midfielder, who helped to set up Cisse's leveller and kept seeking further opportunities, including a clever ball to set up Perez in the 51st minute.

What's Ahead

Newcastle return to action on New Year's Day when they entertain Burnley.

Everton again take the trip across the Pennines when they travel to Hull City on Thursday.

Post-Match Reaction