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From the Guardian 48 hours after the game:

While Everton's manager Walter Smith confirmed yesterday that the £8 million transfer of Duncan Ferguson to Newcastle was done behind his back, it appeared that Ruud Gullit's first signing since replacing Kenny Dalglish three months ago was not of his own making.

Smith was in the dark until he spoke to his club captain on the stairs at Goodison after the 1-0 win over Newcastle on Monday night; Gullit went into the deal eyes wide open but with Alan Shearer apparently showing him the way.

Newcastle's manager tried not to put all his spending money on the table by offering to include several players in a part-exchange, notably Gary Speed and Keith Gillespie, but Everton's chairman Peter Johnson insisted on cash.

Yesterday Smith admitted: "I knew nothing about this at all - it was done without my knowledge." However he has agreed to stay at Goodison despite being told at a board meeting yesterday that the fee would be used to help reduce the club's overdraft of around £20 million rather than to buy players.

However the cut in the overdraft may be £1.5 million less than the reported fee because Ferguson's former club Rangers are due part of the profits under a sell-on clause and the player is owed a loyalty bonus.

That will matter little to Everton fans whose furious backlash against the move may sweep Johnson from power after four years in control. Switchboards at Goodison and Johnson's hamper business, Park Foods on the Wirral, were jammed all day by protest calls and disgusted supporters began returning their season tickets.

Johnson's position would now appear to be almost untenable and by the time Chelsea visit Goodison on Saturday week he may have offloaded his controlling interest.

Although the multi-millionaire has insisted he would only consider offers of more than £90 million for his 68 per cent shareholding, he may have to revise that figure.

It is believed that a business consortium, possibly fronted by the theatrical impresario and Everton director Bill Kenwright is ready to make a formal offer of around £50 million for the stake Johnson purchased for £19 million just over four years ago.

While Everton are contemplating departures, at Newcastle the move is likely to result in Shearer staying. Indeed it seems the decision to invest all the money allocated to Gullit for buying players on just one was taken by the England captain, who missed the game at Goodison because of a hamstring injury.

Shearer's sense of unease since the dismissal of his friend Dalglish has been almost tangible and in an attempt to keep him happy at St James' Park, despite his assertions that he is, Newcastle asked him who he wanted as his striking partner.

It is believed that his first choice was Dion Dublin and Gullit tried to sign him. But despite offering Coventry City £5 million he missed out, Dublin preferring to join the Premiership leaders Aston Villa. Gullit then suggested Chelsea's Norwegian international Tore Andre Flo but Shearer asked for Ferguson instead.

The former Scotland striker will collect £10 million over the course of his five-year contract which will make him the best-paid player in British football with a weekly salary of £40,000. Shearer is currently believed to earn around £32,000 a week.

Although Shearer again reiterated his desire to remain on Tyneside, Gullit continued to indulge in teasing references concerning the striker. "I want to keep Alan Shearer and now it is all up to him," he said. "As far as I am concerned Alan Shearer is not for sale but if a player wants to leave . . . "

However, he added: "I want Alan Shearer to play with Duncan Ferguson, but what this signing means is that we don't have to rely on one man any more. That's not good."

Newcastle's chairman Freddie Shepherd said: "There is no ulterior motive in signing Duncan Ferguson. Don't forget we are all Geordies and we want Alan Shearer to play for Newcastle."

Ferguson will bring two qualities Newcastle's attack lacked at Everton - power and passion. If he can establish a rapport with Shearer Newcastle will have solved one of their major problems.

Shearer has wanted a partner to share the responsibility of scoring and holding the ball up. At Blackburn he had Chris Sutton and initially at Newcastle Les Ferdinand until he was sold the day before Shearer ruptured his ankle at Goodison Park in August last season. With Faustino Asprilla also allowed to leave, Shearer found himself alone up front on his return in January. Ferguson's arrival means Shearer is closer to getting a forward line-up in which he feels he can prosper. Two weeks ago it was pressure from him and other senior players that saw Gillespie restored to the side.

On Saturday Shearer, Ferguson and Gillespie may all play against Wimbledon at St James' Park. Ferguson's purchase, it seems, is aiding Shearer's powers of recovery.

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