Matthias Jaissle said:

"They (players) have trained on a high level in the build-up, but when the ref started the game you couldn’t see that.

For the second time in five days, Newcastle proved to be incapable of containing or damaging a thoroughly average Everton side, as the mood on Tyneside worsened further.

David Moyes had failed to guide the Toffees to an Premier League away success in nine attempts since winning at Gallowgate in February, but another passive Toon display saw him end that wait.

A barren opening half brought few chances and no goals; the home defence reaching the interval intact after twice living dangerously in time added on; Jake O'Brien heading wide and Harrison Armstrong badly miscuing his shot.    

That changed four minutes after the restart, when United were caught sleeping from a free kick given for a non-challenge by Joelinton and sent behind Anthony Elanga to the unattended Tyrique George.

His routine shot was fumbled by Lukas Hornicek and touched into the empty Leazes net by Thierno Barry - VAR confirming that the goalscorer was onside and the contact he made with Fabian Schar that drew blood wasn't illegal.

The reaction from the home side was negligible, as they seemed to be under the illusion that possession in the opposition half was the same as actually attacking.

Jordan Pickford's goal was finally threatened when a 65th minute ball from the left hand side the box reached Elanga adjacent to the back post, only for his shot to strike the goal frame and roll along the line before being cleared.

Substitute Yoane Wissa was then denied in the final seconds of normal time, Pickford sticking out his foot to block a shot from 12 yards, the chance created by Bazoumana Toure.

The only efforts on target by a home player during eight minutes of added time came from the boot of Jacob Ramsey - although it was Everton players rather than the ball that he kicked twice inside 90 seconds and rightly saw red.

The mediocrity of the opposition - and so far this season, the league, adds to the frustration of watching a team who look ill-equipped to carry out their master's bidding, players shoehorned into inappropriate positions.

Jaissle will get the flak, but the lack of intelligence shown by players isn't all at his door. Seldom has a team stacked with alleged internationals looked so unconvincing and that's just the ones he's picking; the recruitment policy that brought such a lop-sided squad also has to come under scrutiny.

A lack of guile or variety makes us incredibly easy to play against and outwit - dwindling belief in the stands stemming from a succession of anonymous displays across the field and the absence of a striker worthy of the description. The league table doesn't reflect our situation - yet.

There's a lack of faith in Newcastle United 2.0 so far and we're struggling to be optimistic that it will get any better. Nobody here has enhanced their reputation this season on Barrack Road except the fan whose shot on target in the half time competition sent him and his fiancee to Las Vegas.

That other teams are struggling is of no solace: this was a tough watch, another joyless spectacle with no spark from the crowd for the players or vice versa. Messrs Hopkinson, Wilson and Jaissle may not have seen this before, but plenty here tonight have.

Watching this game brought it home to us that the disconnect between those on and off the pitch is at a level that we've not endured since the Bruce-era COVID lockout days. Deeply troubling.

Biffa