Kari Tulinius says: “Both Everton and Newcastle are much more comfortable at the back and with neither team feeling the need to be proactive, the game felt very uncertain.” I'm hoping one of the teams gets involved, but I suspect that both sides fear that committing men to the front will result in them finishing on the counterattack.”

“There used to be a rule for penalty shootouts on the streets of Newcastle, Nae Blasters, and it’s good that Anthony Gordon is following that tradition.” says Brian Robson.

Half-time reading.

Half time: Everton – Newcastle 0-0

45+6 mins: A beautiful cross hits Gordon unchallenged in the six-yard box, but instead of shooting at goal, he hits the ball to Joelinton, who sends his shot over the goal.

45+4 mins: Joelinton dribbles towards the edge of the penalty area and goes down under pressure, but it's certainly not a free kick. Everton seem happy to go into the break with the goalless result. Newcastle had almost 90% in the last 10 minutes.

45+2 mins: Ndiaye does well to win the ball in his own defensive third, but then tries to dribble it up the pitch and loses possession. Gordon receives the ball in the penalty area, but is outnumbered and Tarkowski finally manages to end the attack.

45 minutes: Added six minutes. Cheers, VAR.

44 mins: Another way to get the Everton fans going is to foul Gordon. Keane is the last man to do this and everyone in blue insults the referee.

McNeil is booked for a serious foul on Guimaraes.

42 mins: Everton survive another corner as Pickford strikes and Tarkowski doesn't take anyone down.

40 mins: Newcastle were the better team overall here, but didn't seem to be able to score from the game. They could use a real striker.

38 minutes: The disallowed goal and saved penalty angered Everton fans. It could help give the hosts an extra advantage.

36 mins: Goodison broke out as Pickford saved it. Tarkovsky will be very, very relieved.

Everton then survives a few corners and tries to find calm.

Punishment saved! Everton 0-0 Newcastle

33 minutes: PENALTY! I have no idea what Tarkovsky did – there was no threat. Pawson forgives him after looking at the screen.

32 mins: There is a penalty for Tarkovsky throwing Tonali to the ground. It's essentially a foul and incredibly pointless from the Everton captain. Pawson moves to the screen.

30 minutes: Barnes has plenty of space on the left and can throw the ball to the back post. Young heads the ball back for a corner, which ends with Murphy firing a shot past the edge of the box.

28 mins: Gordon does well again, this time on the right, and he crosses into a dangerous area but Everton fights back. One problem for Newcastle is that there is no central striker who can take advantage of such opportunities.

26 mins: Tarkowski hits the ball forward to Calvert-Lewin, who chests it down on the edge of the box, but he is forced backwards.

24 mins: There is a slight delay while the paramedics tend to Garner, but he gets up and moves to the side. Looks like he took a hit to the head, but he seems fine.

22 mins: Gordon rushes past Doucour in the penalty area and moves into space, but his pullback is poor and Mangala intercepts.

A slightly bizarre moment when Barnes and Garner meet. They both end up on the ground waiting for a foul, but Craig Pawson doesn't think there's an offense and eventually Barnes gets up to dribble forward. Garner is waiting on the ground and needs to be treated.

20 minutes: What a depressing moment for Goodison Park. They were delighted until the Stockley Park boys intervened. Will it provide additional motivation or bring frustration?

NO GOAL! Everton 0-0 Newcastle

GOAL! Everton 1-0 Newcastle (Doucoure, 18)

17 mins: Murphy fails to control a cross from the left from a good position, but then tries again, but his low shot is easy for Pickford.

“What a shame that Newcastle’s famous black and white kit clashed with Everton’s because it forced them to wear the colors of Saudi Arabia.” says Gary.

It's almost a non-existent collision.

16 mins: Calvert-Lewin receives a long pass about 25 meters from the goal. He shoots at the Newcastle centre-backs and shoots from the edge of the box, but the shot goes straight at Pope.

14 mins: Gordon spins in the Everton half but is blocked. He stands up and is holding his hamstring, but I assume it's just an impact injury.

12 minutes: It should also be said that Young marked Burn in the previous set piece, which sounds like a bad idea.

10 minutes: OFF THE LINE! A corner from Newcastle is directed to the back post where Guimaraes is waiting. His volley beats Pickford, but Ndiaye somehow blocks the shot on the line.

9 mins: Calvert-Lewin collects a long ball, takes a few touches and shoots wide, but is then penalized for high footing, which is a bit harsh considering Trippier has his head down.

8 minutes: Everton's clear plan is to be pretty direct and surprise Newcastle with long balls at goal.

6 minutes: Barnes gets ahead of makeshift right-back Garner, but his cross is blocked at the front post. Newcastle's wingers could have fun against Garner and Young.

4 minutes: Pickford trots forward to take a free kick from the halfway line. He throws it into the box, Tarkowski wins the first header but Pope comes out to clear it.

2 minutes: Tonali lifts the ball over Keane, who brings it down in the Newcastle half. Admittedly there is almost no contact.

Start

The players are in the tunnel. Tarkowski receives a police escort before being greeted by his former Burnley teammate Nick Pope.

Arsenal had to come from behind against Southampton.

“Staying awake as Daylight Saving Time officially begins – literally as I write and send this email – means I'm essentially losing an hour of sleep as the local clock drops from 2:00 to 3:00 Clock goes over.” Emails to Chris Paraskevas.

“To combat the lack of sleep, I just ate a second dinner (a little undercooked cheeseburger) to 'keep the engine running.' I just hope the players are as committed to the cause as I am.

“Our collective and individual inconsistency this season has been annoying: more than capable at our best and probably the dullest of the competition at our worst.

“It's time for Anthony Gordon to really kick-start his season with a star performance. (Sorry, Mary Waltz!)”

I am sure this powerful device will focus the mind.

Leicester is at the start.

Pass the time by reading my work this week.

Emails from Mary Waltz: “Greetings Will. Now that we are past the relegation zone, I have decided to abandon my normal pessimism and dream of the sunlit plateaus to come. New owner, new stadium coming, surely we are just one point out of the dumpster and injuries have ruled out our promising young player for today's clash with Newcastle. I'm going to embrace positivity (or deny it, if you want to get super technical about it). )”

Anthony Gordon is back at Goodison Park.

It is a blow that Branthwaite is missing again after recently returning from injury. Everton's defense is far better with him alongside Tarkowski.

Reading before the game.

Isak is missing again for Newcastle, so Gordon has to take the lead. I'm sure he'll want to annoy his former employers.

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Garner, Keane, Tarkovsky, Young; Mangala, Doucour; Harrison, McNeil, Ndiaye; Calvert Lewin

Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Beto, O'Brien, Gueye, Lindstrom, Iroegbunam, Armstrong, Dixon

Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon, Barnes

Subs: Odysseas, Ruddy, Krafth, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff

preamble