Newcastle 2 v Everton 1 Player Ratings

Newcastle

Tim Krul- 6.5 He made some decently hard saves look easy. Could do nothing with Rodwell's late 1st half header. He is only growing in confidence each game and has become one of the best young goalies in the world.

Danny Simpson- 6.5 Fantastic in the 1st half, decent in the 2nd. His tantalizing, bouncing cross led to Heitingas own goal and he patrolled the right flank throughout.

Steven Taylor- 6.5 A tower in defense, His and Simpson's weak marking was the cause of Rodwell's goal, but besides that, he didn't put a foot wrong.

Fabricio Coloccini (c)- 7 He just seems to be two times smarter then everyone else on the pitch. His positioning and technical skill, as always, were excellent.

Ryan Taylor- 7.5 His son is born and he cements himself as the starting LB with a wonder strike of a goal. Could he become one of those rare players who completely switches positions midway through his pro career and become a way better player? It looks so.

Sylvain Marveaux- 5.5 He looked composed, tenacious, and had-working in his first ever EPL start. However, he did not offer anything special in attack and was forced to come off through injury.

Yohan Cabaye- 5 You can tell how important he is to the squad by watching this game. Before his injury, Newcastle looked the better squad and were up 2-0. After his injury, Everton dominated possession and were unlucky to not grab the draw.

Danny Guthrie- 7 Due to Tiote's injury, he made his second consecutive start, and once again, he played brilliantly. His passing and positioning were intelligent, and he did whatever he could to help his team to victory.

Jonas Gutierrez- 5 Quiet game from the Argentinian International. As always, his work rate and defensive helping were excellent, but he offered very little in attack. His crossing was weak and was never able to get behind Hibbert.

Leon Best- 5 He was a thorn in Everton's defense but couldn't do much with what he was given. His hold up play is fantastic, but he needs to create more if he wants to keep his starting spot from King Arfa.

Demba Ba- 6 He kept running, and running, and running. For a striker, his work rate today was phenomenal and that was all that was needed to get the full three points.

Subs-

Gosling- 5 Came on early for the injured Cabaye and did what was needed. However, he still looks a step slow from his past injury and is at least a year away from fighting for a starting midfield position. He was extremely lucky to have not given up a penalty with his hand ball in the box off Saha's shot.

Sammy Amoebi- 5.5 Didn't show the speed I was hoping for when he almost had the step on his man for the break. His left footed deliveries were brilliant and looks to have an excellent cross on him.

Ben Arfa- 5 He was unable to show the class he possesses in his brief cameo.

Everton

Tim Howard- 5.5 He could do nothing with either goal and didn't have much else to do today as Everton held control of the game.

Tony Hibbert- 6 He was solid throughout and didn't offer Jonas any room to operate.

John Heitinga- 3.5 He started the game with a horrible own goal and ended the game playing out of position due to Neville's injury. Not a day he will want to remember as he couldn't put a foot right today.

Phil Jagielka- 6.5 Started the game averagely but got better and better as the game wore on. Once Saha came on, it looked like nothing was ever going to get through their rock solid central defense partnership.

Leighton Baines- 5.5 He was solid defensively but never delivered his usual picture perfect left footed crosses.

Seamus Coleman- 4 He wasted a fantastic scoring opportunity in the beginning and could not get anything going for him all day. He gave the ball away too cheaply and must improve to keep his starting spot.

Leon Osman- 5.5 He worked hard but offered little. Nothing much to note of him today.

Jack Rodwell- 7 He worked his socks off and helped wrestle control of the game with his overall play. His header for Everton's lone goal was nice as well.

Phil Neville (c)- 5 He is getting to be a liability for Everton. He adds experience and grit to the squad but Moyes has to have a selection problem because Neville isn't fast enough to keep starting in the EPL. Came off hobbling in the 2nd so will probably sit out a couple games anyhow.

Royston Drenthe- 7 He was easily both squad's most entertaining and dangerous attacking player. If he is able to keep his head right, he will be an absolute bargain of a loan for the Everton squad and possess the last bit of quality they need to get back in the top 10.

Louis Saha- 5 He was able to create himself a lot of opportunities but was unable to finish any of them. He was extremely unlucky with his pop shot that hit the post but was even more disappointing in his other shots off target.

Subs

Distin- 7 Everton became a better team when he came on. He was unbeatable in the air and on the ground. It will be a shock if he isn't starting next game and for the rest of the season.

Cahill- 5 A weak cameo for the Australian. He was brought in to get the tie and was unable to deliver. He should be back to full fitness and starting at forward by the time they take on Wolves in two weeks time.

Mcfadden- 4.5 No impact worth noting.

Ref- 5 He got every call correct besides one huge miss. Gosling clearly handed the ball in the box and that was the difference in the game as he completely missed it.