Everton consistently frustrated Newcastle to secure a point at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead when Abdoulaye Doucoure rose high to head past Nick Pope but a subsequent VAR review saw the would-be opener ruled out.
A moment of madness from James Tarkowski on Sandro Tonali offered the visitors a golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot but Jordan Pickford dived well to deny Anthony Gordon.
Both sides had opportunities to take the lead in the second half but ultimately suffered from a lack of quality in the final third and the game ended goalless.
Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was present at the ground to offer his assessment of both teams’ performance.
Anthony Gordon missed a penalty as Newcastle were held to a goalless draw by Everton
Jordan Pickford dived low to his left to deny his England team-mate at Goodison Park
After a dismal start to the season Sean Dyche’s side are now unbeaten in their last three
EVERTON
Jordan Pickford 8
Read Gordon’s intention for penalty save that ultimately won a point for his side. Was also sharp with feet in mopping up behind defence. MOM.
James Garner 7
Would never have known he was out of position at right back. Dealt with Barnes and later Joelinton manfully.
James Tarkowski 4.5
Ridiculous foul on Tonali for penalty but redeemed himself with huge block from same player early in second half. Other sloppy moments, though.
Michael Keane 6
While Tarkowski struggled he was far more solid. Read play with couple of key interceptions.
Ashley Young 5.5
Did OK defensively this time – especially up against speed merchant Murphy – but offered little going in other direction.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 6
Was the best of home midfield and tried to get on the ball and make things happen but quality at crucial moment was missing. Good goal-line block from Tonali.
Orel Mangala 4.5
Little influence on the game and didn’t look up to speed when Joelinton burned by him early in second half. Was soon subbed. Poor.
Jack Harrison 6
Worked hard in helping out Garner and had a couple of nice touches, but didn’t provide threat his side needed.
Dwight McNeil 5.5
Not the impact of last week in No.10 role. Rarely saw the ball and one second-half shot dragged wide summed up his evening.
Iliman Ndiaye 6.5
Deservedly won applause of home crowd late on after enterprising skill. He showed a lot of promise, even if final ball was missing.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6
Was a handful and did OK given service to him wasn’t great. Didn’t make most of half chances he had.
SUBS
Idrissa Gana Gueye (on for Mangala 57) 5
Tim Iroegbunam (on for Harrison 68) 5
Manager – Sean Dyche 6
Pickford was rock solid for the Toffees, and mopped up behind the defence when needed
Club captain James Tarkowski was rightly punished for a ridiculous foul that led to the penalty
NEWCASTLE
Nick Pope 7
Had to make one big save from Calvert-Lewin second half and he did so.
Kieran Trippier 6
Still not offering his best in attacking sense but did fine defensively before injury forced him off.
Fabian Schar 6
Was roughed up by Calvert-Lewin at times and not the easiest night in that sense. Forward passing was good at times.
Dan Burn 6.5
Was good aerially and made a couple of big recovery challenges.
Lewis Hall 6
Two sloppy passes early on and that continued, including one slow ball during promising break.
Sandro Tonali 5
Lost the ball too often for such a technical player. Still needs to convince of his effectiveness away from home.
Bruno Guimaraes 7.5
His side’s best player and saw a lot of the ball. Always looking to make things happen and, unlike others, wasn’t as wasteful with it.
Joelinton 7
A much better showing in terms of aggression and fitness and getting in the faces of Everton. Still, better quality needed on ball.
Jacob Murphy 5
Up against veteran Young at left back but did not use his pace to capitalise. Poor execution on couple of decent chances, too.
Anthony Gordon 6.5
Penalty shocker – it was a poor execution by his standards – but never hid and was a threat throughout. Should have scored, though, when clear late on.
Harvey Barnes 5.5
Failed to get better of makeshift right back Garner and was moved to centre-forward second half but withdrawal after a quiet hour.
SUBS
Miguel Almiron (on for Barnes 62) 7
Joe Willock (on for Murphy 68) 6
Tino Livramento (on for Trippier 71) 6.5
Sean Longstaff (on for Tonali 71) 6.5
Manager – Eddie Howe 6.5
Despite missing his spot kick Gordon proved a consistent threat for the visitors throughout