Ten-man Magpies hold on for point

The midfielder saw red for an ugly 43rd-minute lunge at Victor Anichebe just as his side had recovered from a blitz by the visitors which saw Steve Harper save from Joseph Yobo and Jack Rodwell.

Peter Lovenkrands and substitute Jonas Gutierrez both went close for the Magpies either side of half-time, but the teams could not be separated.

The day had started with a protest against Mike Ashley's regime in the city centre, but it ended with a positive result which eased Newcastle slightly further away from the drop zone.

The draw extended Everton's recent run to one defeat in 14 games in all competitions, but they will feel two more points were theirs for the taking.

The game was only three minutes old when Mikel Arteta challenged Lovenkrands and landed awkwardly, grasping his knee in agony. He was eventually carried off on a stretcher to join banned duo Tim Cahill and Tony Hibbert and the injured Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Ayegbeni Yakubu on the sidelines, and Anichebe's name was also added to the list.

The striker limped off after being caught by Nolan's two-footed tackle, which prompted an instant red card from referee Lee Mason. Mr Mason was roundly booed by the home fans, although television replays revealed he had little choice.

Sebastien Bassong needlessly conceded a 19th-minute corner, although he atoned for his error when, after Harper got a hand to Yobo's glancing header, he hacked the rebound off the line.

Harper then managed to block Rodwell's 29th-minute effort at the far post with his legs.

However, the best chance came at the other end two minutes later when Shola Ameobi and Nolan combined to put Lovenkrands in on keeper Tim Howard. The Dane steadied himself but pushed his left-foot shot wide of the post.