A trio of disasters at the feet of the usually-reliable Kieran Trippier gifted this game to Everton, after the Toffees scored three late goals at Goodison Park on Thursday evening.

Fatal slips by the Newcastle defender in the 79th and 86th minutes of a tight game presented the hosts with scoring opportunities that they grabbed, before the England international was judged to have played an opponent onside in the sixth minute of added time as 0-2 became 0-3.

A multiplicity of ailments once again hampered Eddie Howe's attempts to freshen his line-up and he fielded the same outfield group of ten players for the fourth time in thirteen days; the only change coming in goal, where Martin Dubravka replaced shoulder injury victim Nick Pope. 

As was the case in United's most recent defeat at Bournemouth, the early signs weren't overly encouraging from an attacking point of view, where we looked anything but imaginative and our ongoing suspicions about the fitness of Alexander Isak remained. The netting partially obscuring the view from the away may have been unwanted, but those with restricted views didn't miss much.

A Dyche-drilled Everton side predictably wasted little time in getting the ball forward, but when they did approach Dubravka's goal, they little sign of being able to test him or hit the target at all. The returning goalkeeper may have been equal to a few shots, but his goal continually looked in peril when free kicks and corners were swung towards his six yard box - a worrying facet of his play doubtless noted by those watching on behalf of our future opponents.

Aside from a tepid effort from Miguel Almiron when well placed, one standout passage of play from the black and whites hinted at an uplift - but Isak spoiled what would have been a picture book goal by nodding narrowly wide of Jordan Pickford's goal eight minutes before the break.

Scoreless at the break as it had been at Bournemouth, the Toffees would replicate the Cherries in belatedly waking up to the fact that tiring opponents with no viable options on the bench were there to be beaten and as a consequence, improve a hitherto forgettable home record for the season.

Frustratingly for the away side here though, their best period of the game immediately preceded conceding the opener and then an equally calamitous second soon afterwards.

Having snuck on in the closing stages of April's 4-1 win here, Anthony Gordon returned to his former home as an integral part of Newcastle side and with an ongoing media debate as to whether he should in the England team.

Sadly for him and us though, he left Goodison with jeers ringing in his ears, twice racing into good positions to score the goal he so evidently hoped for, but on both occasions fluffing his shot and giving Pickford an easy take before blasting his second effort into the crowd.

A break in play while the home goalkeeper walked to the sidelines for treatment proved to be our undoing; United restarting the game in possession but tiring legs and minds perhaps contributing to a momentary lapse of concentration that allowed Dwight McNeill in, with devastating consequences.

And once behind, our collective spirit almost visibly drained away as the hosts were roared forward by fans and manager alike. There was to be one more opportunity for Newcastle to gain a foothold - and maybe a point - but when Almiron's header at 0-1 cleared the crossbar to the delight of the gurning lunatic in green, the game was up. 

That was confirmed when Doucoure and Beto took chances to give the score a misleading outcome, the only fight left in the visiting team coming after full time when Schar and Joelinton sought to confront Pickford - whose ludicrous celebrations of each goal and the the final whistle were all provocatively directed at the away support. 

Rather than being insulted or appalled though, it's just funny - his ludicrous posturing tonight prompted by taking considerable grief from Newcastle fans to heart. Take it as a compliment. 

The defeat left United in seventh while the Scousers climbed out of the bottom three to defy their ten point deduction, underlining our own contention that this is the season to take on board a blow of that magnitude and still avoid relegation. Further censure however might be a blow too much.

Back to the black and whites though, and it's difficult to know what else to do other than plough on the same course, while planning for early activity in January and assessing whether the goalkeeper situation is solvable in house, given that Pope isn't expected to be named in the revised 25.

It may not be the entire cause, but there's a direct correlation between the away results and increased fixture load, reduced availability of players and a lack of choice that sees others play on. Fast forward to Sunday and a Spurs side on the crest of a slump may similarly swipe us aside. 

Rather than lamenting our seasonal travel sickness though, for once we'll go glass half full and praise the home form that has been the bedrock of our season. Let's just hope we never return here.

Biffa