Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender at St James' Park for Radio 5 live

"Newcastle have pushed on. They were really on the ropes but they're making it much harder for Everton to play it out from the back now and are looking a lot more compact."

Strange game. Everton dominated the first 20-odd minutes without scoring and now Newcastle are ending the half on top. 

Image source, Reuters

Terrible challenge by Gareth Barry on Ayoze Perez. That's 109 cautions for the former Aston Villa and Manchester City man in the Premier League. 

Are Everton going to pay for not taking the lead after all that possession earlier? Another chance for Newcastle but Ayoze Perez just fails to connect with Aleksandar Mitrovic's flick-on.

Image source, PA

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Another header by Aleksandar Mitrovic and it's not a bad effort. Newcastle are coming back into what is turning out to be a decent game.

Romelu Lukaku is getting closer and closer to scoring for the eighth successive league game. Rob Elliot denies him after more poor defending lets in the Everton striker. Surely it's only a matter of time...

Image source, Reuters

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender at St James' Park for Radio 5 live

"Everton must have got in down the right wing on at least three occasions already, and each time there's been no pressure. Fortunately for Newcastle, each time they've picked out the wrong cross.

"Down the other end Aleksandar Mitrovic went for a glancing header when he really should have launched himself through the ball. Jackie Milburn would have buried it."

Image source, Getty Images

First signs of a threat from Newcastle...and it's a decent chance. A delicious cross by Daryl Janmaat glances the head of Aleksander Mitrovic and the ball fizzes past Tim Howard's post.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have scored at least twice in their last seven league meetings with Newcastle. You wouldn't bet against them doing it again.

Image source, Opta

Just look at how advanced Everton are! Only two outfield players have spent the vast majority of the opening exchanges inside their own half. In contrast, nine of Newcastle's 10 outfield players have been firmly entrenched in their own half.

Image source, Opta

Another chance for Everton and it's Kevin Mirallas again but the Belgian shoots straight at Rob Elliot who makes a comfortable save. More sighs from the home fans.

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Very little Christmas cheer at St James' Park. More groans after they give away possession...again. In contrast, Everton are giving a masterclass in passing.

Image source, Reuters

Ominous signs here for a very poor Newcastle. They can't keep the ball and are giving it away cheaply. Everton will be annoyed they haven't yet taken the lead.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender at St James' Park for Radio 5 live

"Romelu Lukaku had Fabricio Coloccini on toast there. He just brushed past him so easily. Twenty yards from goal, Tom Cleverley can shoot but doesn't and looks for the pass instead."

Romelu Lukaku is warming up nicely. The powerful Everton battering ram has had a couple of powerful runs already at the Magpies defence.

Image source, Reuters

First caution of the game and it's Newcastle's Daryl Janmaat who goes into the book after fouling Gareth Barry. 

It's all Everton. Newcastle just have not got going. Romelu Lukaku goes down inside the area after running into Paul Dummett. Everton's fans roar for a penalty but Lee Mason isn't interested.

Kevin Mirallas is making a rare start and the Everton player is denied a goal as Rob Elliot saves with his leg after Seamus Coleman's cross causes havoc in the Newcastle area.

Image source, Reuters