After last week's desperately disappointing home loss to Blackpool, Newcastle bounced back in style to earn their second league win of the season, thanks to a fine team display and a wonderful goal from Hatem Ben Arfa. 

The on-loan Frenchman hit a stunning left-footed shot near the end of the first half to give United a first victory in eight games at Goodison Park and extending a winless start to the season for the Toffees.   

After naming the same XI for the opening four Premier League games, Hughton handed Cheick Tiote his debut and gave Hatem Ben Arfa a first start. Alan Smith and Jonas Gutierrez dropped down to the bench, which was also occupied by birthday boy Sol Campbell - on his 36th birthday. For the hosts, Tim Cahill was missing (for the sixth successive game against Newcastle) and former Toon transfer target Jermaine Beckford was given a start.

Overcast conditions and light rain saw the floodlights on before kickoff, with the opening exchanges fairly equal. United grew in confidence though, with Tiote looking instantly at ease in a central midfield anchor role and never wasting a ball throughout the whole afternoon.

Steve Harper's only involvement in the opening half hour had been to watch Phil Jagielka's header sail wide, but the 'keeper exited the field on a stretcher just after the half hour, following a horrible challenge from Beckford.

The former Leeds striker had barely seen the ball and frustration may have played a part as he left his foot in on the Newcastle 'keeper after the ball had gone. A booking followed for Beckford while Tim Krul appeared off the bench for his Premier League debut. Harper meanwhile went for a hospital scan on an injured left shoulder.

Then came the moment when an encouraging display turned into a memorable afternoon. Picking up the ball 25 yards out in front of the Gwladys Street End, Ben Arfa steadied himself before unleashing an unstoppable shot into Tim Howard's top left corner, sending the travelling fans into delirium.

An expected response from the home side came in the form of Yakubu adding his physical presence up front, although it took Everton some time to get up a head of steam - and spark their snoozing supporters into life. But with Mike Williamson showing up well at the back and support coming from across the pitch - Andy Carroll again a rock back in defence - Newcastle kept their shape well.

Kevin Nolan should have earned a penalty with fifteen minutes remaining when Seamus Coleman swiped his legs from under him as he bore down on Howard. However, referee Andre Marriner inexplicably waved played on.

Everton piled on the pressure and a frantic added time finale saw Yakubu's shot hit the post and end up in Krul's arms, before Marouane Fellaini - lucky to remain on the pitch after lashing out at Williamson - volleyed wide from close range in the closing seconds.

However there was to be no repeat of last week's late heroics for the home side, as Newcastle held on for a victory that was perhaps even more satisfying than the 6-0 demolition of Aston Villa. Certainly this was a more complete performance than that, inflicting a first home league defeat on Everton since November 2009 - a run of 14 games. 

The ghosts of Monsieur Ginola and Robert had been conjured up during the acquisition of Ben Arfa, but in his first full game if his darts and dashes were reminiscent of anyone, it was Kieron Dyer. One second half dribbling run especially evoked memories of Dyer netting at the same end on this ground a decade ago.

This wasn't a perfect performance, with Perch again booked and Routledge dropping off the map for large tracts of the second half. However the positive influence of Ben Arfa and Tiote on the midfield meant that Chris Hughton's side could reveal an expansive side to their play - rather than continually batter away with long balls directed towards Carroll.  

And credit is also due to Kevin Nolan, who as childhood Liverpool fan may have been inspired by this outing on the other side of Stanley Park. Whatever the reason though, he again proved his worth when dropping back from the supporting striker role that still seems overly-ambitious to us in this league. Another steady display from boyhood Toffee Barton meanwhile saw abuse gradually wither away, as Goodison malcontents began to grumble more about their own team's shortcomings.

The injury to Harper and consequent revelation that Fraser Forster couldn't be recalled from his loan at Celtic was something we could have done without - and to field Tim Krul in the Carling Cup at Chelsea on Wednesday would seem to be almost inviting further misfortune. 

While Ole Soderberg could yet get his first chance in the first team, next Sunday's league visit of Stoke City promises to be a big test for Krul - undoubtedly talented and not lacking in confidence but by no means the finished article. His time is now though and the new four year contact he signed just weeks ago has been backed up by expressions of confidence from his manager. 

Recovering from his shoulder injury could yet be the least of Harper's worries.     

Biffa