"I think the work we produced against a very good team was fantastic.

"We suffered after taking the lead but we were better in the second half and both teams had chances to score. The main thing was to defend well and create chances, but we would like to be more accurate in our counter-attacks.

"We have to be realistic, they are a good team and they had chances in the first half, and they have four games unbeaten at home, so we have to credit our players.

"We were defending well and well organised, and doing a fantastic job, the only thing we were not expecting was the chances on the counter-attack that we could have been more clinical with.

"We scored a great goal but we still had two or three chances in the first half, and a couple of chances in the second half, it could have been different.

"But we have to give credit to them, they are a good team and they played well. It was not easy to play against our team or break us down. 

"At the end we were looking at getting three points one way or another but one point against a very good team can be fine.

"You cannot forget they have won their last four home games, they did well in the Merseyside derby too.

"We needed a back three because we have some problems with players being suspended and things like that which we have to manage, and try to be solid.

"It's a pity because we have two or three situations with Atsu, one v one, that we didn't find this final pass to make the difference. But, again, I will say that when you get a point against a good team, away from home, you have to be pleased.

"Murphy and Atsu were really good because defending all the time and, after, attacking, you need the legs. The goal was a great counter attack."

On Kenedy: 

"He has a problem with his toe. He couldn't put his boots on and he couldn't train in the last couple of days."

Salomon Rondon's first half shot helped to secure a deserved point at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, as a hard-working team performance was enough to end a run of five successive losses to Everton, during which Newcastle had failed to score a single goal.

The Toffees were looking to bounce back from their Merseyside derby defeat last Sunday by making it five home wins in a row, but trailed after 19 minutes when Jacob Murphy darted down the left and centred powerfully for Rondon to fire past Jordan Pickford. 

Murphy was one of three changes to the starting side made by Rafa Benitez, drafted in with Christian Atsu and Jamaal Lascelles at the expense of Ayoze Perez, the injured Kenedy and suspended Matt Ritchie.

Everton pressed hard to cancel out Rondon's third Premier League goal this season and were level by the 38th minute - although with a slice of good fortune, as deflections off defensive duo Schar and Lascelles set up Richarlison for a routine finish towards the back post.

However, the Argentinean then made a superb block to deny Sigurdsson as he shaped to shoot Martin Dubravka also brilliantly denying Cenk Tosun from close in to send his side in level.

Anyone with bets on players being booked cashed in big time after the break, as referee Lee Mason brandished no fewer than five yellows to visiting players - some good calls but some poor ones when he was duped by some blatant play acting, notably from Lucas Digne.

Try as they might though, the expensively-assembled home ensemble were unable to find a clear sight of goal, held at bay by a Newcastle side who were noticeably less wasteful in those times when they gained possession.

And unlikely though it may seem, the Magpies could even have made it back to back away wins, had Atsu been able to convert either of his two late chances.

The first came when a header by DeAndre Yedlin dropped to him in the box on 87 minutes, the Ghanaian firing a shot that Pickford dived to his left to repel.

Perhaps the better opportunity arrived in the 90th minute though, as Atsu took Perez's pass and drove forward into a dangerous position but his shot lacked any power - given that he completed a rare full game, he was probably totally exhausted by that point. 

There was to be no famous and rare victory at one of our least fruitful venues, but this was an outstanding effort from all involved, collectively working their backsides off to achieve a vital and unanticipated result.

The point kept United fourteenth in the table, taking them a point clear of Crystal Palace who had slipped below us following their loss at Brighton. It also restored something of the post-Burnley defiance among fans that was eroded by the loss to West Ham in what was an odd atmosphere.

There's also renewed optimism in recent days that the divisive figure in charge of this club could at last be exiting, prompting the postponement of a fan-led boycott of Sunday's game.

While we'll remain sceptical until the deed is officially and legally done, it wasn't just the final score and gritty display that had fans leaving the away section tonight with hope in their hearts, to steal a line from the red side of Stanley Park.
 
Biffa