Everton were left feeling robbed of victory after Demba Ba's last-minute equaliser gave Newcastle United a point at Goodison Park.

Ba levelled after substitute Victor Anichebe looked to have given Everton victory two minutes from time - after earlier having a header ruled out despite the ball appearing to cross the line.

In a thrilling encounter, Everton dominated the first half and led deservedly through Leighton Baines's early strike until Ba's introduction after the interval transformed Newcastle's attacking threat.

He was on target within four minutes but Goodison Park was infuriated when Anichebe's header dropped behind the line after being parried by Newcastle keeper Steve Harper 12 minutes from time, only for referee Mike Jones to wave play on after looking to his assistant.

Analysis

Image of Danny Mills Danny Mills Football Analyst

"Everton bossed the first half. I was really impressed. Kevin Mirallas was absolutely fantastic. Alan Pardew made changes for the second half and Everton took their foot off the gas. They allowed Newcastle back into it. From then on it was helter skelter. Everton had a goal ruled out which for me crossed the line but sloppy defending let Newcastle equalise late on."

Everton also felt aggrieved when an earlier goal from Marouane Fellaini was disallowed for offside. Anichebe, however, looked to have given Everton the win they felt they deserved but Newcastle's improved second half performance brought them a draw as Ba rolled in his second in the closing moments.

It will once again ignite the debate about goal-line technology - but it will be of no consolation to Everton or manager David Moyes as they were left frustrated.

The evening started in moving fashion as Everton paid an emotional tribute to the Hillsborough families before kick-off, after last week's revelations, as warm applause rang around Goodison Park while The Hollies' hit "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" was played. At the same time the names of those who died in the 1989 tragedy were displayed on the big screens.

When the action got under way Everton thought they had taken the lead in the opening moments when Nikica Jelavic turned in after Fellaini's shot had been parried by Harper.

Moyes unhappy with two disallowed 'goals'

The effort was ruled out for offside and Jelavic's pain was increased as he injured his knee colliding with a post. It was the start of a bruising evening for the Croatian striker which ended with him limping off just before half-time.

Everton's impressive start to the season was mirrored in their fluency early in the game, illustrated by a superb opening goal from Baines. The England defender took Steven Pienaar's clever flick in his stride before drilling a low shot under Harper.

As Everton dominated, the lively Kevin Mirallas illuminated his home debut with a shot narrowly off target while Phil Jagielka glanced the post from 25 yards after Jelavic's delicate lay-off.

Newcastle, even though they spent most of the half in retreat, also had opportunities of their own. Papiss Cisse should have done better than volley wide from Phil Neville's poor header and Baines was forced to scramble off the line from team-mate Leon Osman.

Fast fact

  • Demba Ba is only the second substitute in 2012 to come on and score twice, and the first since Jamie Mackie for QPR at Blackburn in February.

Pardew - watching from the stands as he served the first of a two-game ban for shoving assistant referee Peter Kirkup on the opening day of the season - introduced Ba at the start of the second half and within four minutes he had equalised. Osman lost possession cheaply, allowing Yohan Cabaye to find Ba for a low left-foot finish past Everton keeper Tim Howard.

Everton thought they had regained the lead when Fellaini converted from Pienaar's pass but once again the offside flag chalked off the goal, with replays suggesting it was the most marginal of decisions.

Pienaar was the creator of Everton's best moments and he fashioned an opening for Osman with 15 minutes left but his sidefoot finish was wide.

The night's most contentious moment came with 12 minutes left when Anichebe's header crossed the line before Mike Williamson scrambled it away and play was waved on - much to Goodison Park's disgust.

Point could kick-start Newcastle season - Alan Pardew

Hatem Ben Arfa then had the opportunity to increase Everton's sense of injustice but Howard made a crucial block as he accelerated away from Jagielka.

Everton thought they had put the perceived wrong right as Anichebe turned on Pienaar's pass to shoot low past Harper, but Ba had the last word at the end of a hugely entertaining game.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew:

"I was proud of the second half because we were terrific, but in the first half we lacked belief and I was shocked at how we played.

"At half-time I put some belief in the team, sometimes that's all you need.

"In the first half we were as bad as we've ever been since I've been in charge.

"I'll never set up a team to get a point and in the first half we looked as if we did, thankfully that changed in the second half and we got the point."

Read Everton manager David Moyes's reaction here.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (5)

Everton

  • 24 Howard
  • 02 Hibbert
  • 03 Baines
  • 06 Jagielka
  • 15 Distin
  • 18 Neville Booked
  • 21 Osman
  • 22 Pienaar Booked
  • 25 Fellaini Booked
  • 07 Jelavic (Anichebe - 44' )
  • 11 Mirallas (Naismith - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Mucha
  • 05 Heitinga
  • 23 Coleman
  • 34 Duffy
  • 14 Naismith
  • 19 Gueye
  • 28 Anichebe

Newcastle United

  • 37 Harper
  • 03 Santon
  • 06 Williamson
  • 14 Perch Booked
  • 27 S Taylor
  • 04 Cabaye (Bigirimana - 90' )
  • 08 Anita Booked
  • 10 Ben Arfa
  • 18 Gutierrez
  • 22 Marveaux (Ba - 46' )
  • 09 Cisse (Sh Ameobi - 80' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 21 Elliot
  • 34 Tavernier
  • 15 Gosling
  • 20 Bigirimana
  • 25 Obertan
  • 19 Ba
  • 23 Sh Ameobi
Ref: Jones
Att: 32,510

Match Stats

Shots

17 11

On target

10 7

Corners

3 3

Fouls

16 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:34 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +3:56

Victor Anichebe gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shola Ameobi. Steve Harper takes the free kick.

90:00 +3:38

Foul by Demba Ba on Sylvain Distin, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Tim Howard.

90:00 +2:36 Substitution

Substitution Yohan Cabaye goes off and Gael Bigirimana comes on.

90:00 +0:53

The ball is swung over by Vurnon Anita, Yohan Cabaye takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.

89:18

Shola Ameobi provided the assist for the goal.

89:18 Goal scored

Goal - Demba Ba - Everton 2 - 2 Newcastle Demba Ba scores a goal from inside the box low into the middle of the goal. Everton 2-2 Newcastle.

87:29

Assist on the goal came from Steven Pienaar.

87:29 Goal scored

Goal - Victor Anichebe - Everton 2 - 1 Newcastle Victor Anichebe scores a goal from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Everton 2-1 Newcastle.

87:04

A cross is delivered by Phil Jagielka, Steven Taylor makes a clearance.

86:54

The ball is crossed by Tony Hibbert, clearance made by Steven Taylor.

86:12

Centre by Marouane Fellaini, Mike Williamson makes a clearance.

85:36

Leighton Baines takes the direct free kick.

85:36 Booking

Booking Shola Ameobi is booked.

85:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shola Ameobi on Leighton Baines.

85:15

Hatem Ben Arfa takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.

84:18

Steve Harper takes the free kick.

84:18 Booking

Booking Marouane Fellaini receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

84:14

Mike Williamson fouled by Marouane Fellaini, the ref awards a free kick.

81:45

Kevin Mirallas takes a shot. Blocked by Mike Williamson.

82:07 Substitution

Substitution (Everton) makes a substitution, with Steven Naismith coming on for Kevin Mirallas.

81:45

Steven Pienaar takes a shot. Blocked by Mike Williamson.

81:34

Centre by Victor Anichebe.

81:22

Davide Santon takes a shot. Phil Jagielka gets a block in.

80:15

Effort from deep inside the area by Demba Ba misses to the left of the target.

79:33 Substitution

Substitution Shola Ameobi comes on in place of Papiss Cisse.

77:51

Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Steve Harper makes a save.

78:12

Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Save made by Steve Harper.

77:56 Booking

Booking Steven Pienaar is given a yellow card.

77:43

Davide Santon concedes a free kick for a foul on Leon Osman. Tony Hibbert takes the direct free kick.

77:14

Victor Anichebe takes a shot.

75:31

Foul by Yohan Cabaye on Marouane Fellaini, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Leighton Baines.

74:36

Shot from just outside the area by Leon Osman misses to the left of the target.

74:04

Leighton Baines fouled by Papiss Cisse, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Leighton Baines.

73:57

Papiss Cisse is ruled offside. Phil Jagielka takes the free kick.

71:34

Vurnon Anita produces a cross, save by Tim Howard.

70:18

Tony Hibbert produces a cross, Mike Williamson makes a clearance.

69:02

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye.

67:04

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye from the left by-line, Sylvain Distin makes a clearance.

65:53

Foul by Kevin Mirallas on Davide Santon, free kick awarded. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.

65:02

Centre by Hatem Ben Arfa, clearance by Sylvain Distin.

63:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Victor Anichebe on Steve Harper. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.

62:26

Unfair challenge on Mike Williamson by Marouane Fellaini results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steve Harper.

61:57

Leighton Baines decides to take the corner short.

61:39

Yohan Cabaye challenges Leon Osman unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Leon Osman.

61:07

Effort on goal by Papiss Cisse from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

59:59

Marouane Fellaini is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Steve Harper.

58:22

Foul by Phil Neville on Jonas Gutierrez, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Steve Harper.

58:09

Centre by Leighton Baines, clearance made by Davide Santon.

56:55

Corner taken by Yohan Cabaye from the right by-line, Steven Pienaar manages to make a clearance.

55:15

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Leighton Baines, Leon Osman has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

54:37

Hatem Ben Arfa delivers the ball, save by Tim Howard.

53:55

Kevin Mirallas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Perch. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.

52:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Papiss Cisse on Sylvain Distin. Free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.

52:21

Leighton Baines delivers the ball, save made by Steve Harper.

52:04

Papiss Cisse challenges Leon Osman unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.

50:00

Hatem Ben Arfa sends in a cross, Header by Demba Ba from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

48:35

Yohan Cabaye provided the assist for the goal.

48:35 Goal scored

Goal - Demba Ba - Everton 1 - 1 Newcastle Demba Ba finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Everton 1-1 Newcastle.

47:53

Victor Anichebe challenges Steven Taylor unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mike Williamson restarts play with the free kick.

47:12

Marouane Fellaini produces a cross, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.

46:51

A cross is delivered by Kevin Mirallas, clearance by Steven Taylor.

45:33

The assistant referee signals for offside against Papiss Cisse. Indirect free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Sylvain Marveaux leaves the field to be replaced by Demba Ba.

45:00 +3:05 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +2:16

Leighton Baines fouled by Jonas Gutierrez, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Leighton Baines, Davide Santon manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +0:44

Kevin Mirallas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Vurnon Anita. Yohan Cabaye takes the free kick.

45:00 +0:13

Marouane Fellaini concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonas Gutierrez. Free kick taken by Yohan Cabaye.

43:17 Substitution

Substitution (Everton) makes a substitution, with Victor Anichebe coming on for Nikica Jelavic.

42:27

Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Steven Pienaar goes wide of the right-hand upright.

41:42

A cross is delivered by Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Distin makes a clearance.

40:31

Kevin Mirallas takes a shot. Save made by Steve Harper.

39:46

Kevin Mirallas concedes a free kick for a foul on Davide Santon. Hatem Ben Arfa takes the free kick.

39:35

Steven Pienaar delivers the ball, Davide Santon manages to make a clearance.

38:51

Davide Santon is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.

38:22

Foul by Nikica Jelavic on Mike Williamson, free kick awarded. Mike Williamson takes the direct free kick.

37:45

The referee blows for offside. Steve Harper takes the indirect free kick.

37:19 Booking

Booking James Perch is cautioned.

36:30

Vurnon Anita takes a shot. Clearance made by Leighton Baines.

35:54

Hatem Ben Arfa takes a shot. Phil Jagielka gets a block in.

34:46

Unfair challenge on Steven Taylor by Kevin Mirallas results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.

33:37

The referee penalises Leon Osman for handball. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.

32:24

The ball is crossed by Yohan Cabaye, Phil Jagielka manages to make a clearance.

30:43

Phil Jagielka takes a shot from just outaide the box and strikes the post.

30:23

Sylvain Distin sends in a cross, clearance by James Perch.

29:29

Leighton Baines delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save by Tim Howard.

29:29 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Vurnon Anita for unsporting behaviour.

29:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tony Hibbert by Vurnon Anita.

25:30

Papiss Cisse fouled by Sylvain Distin, the ref awards a free kick. Sylvain Marveaux crosses the ball, Shot by Papiss Cisse from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

22:33

Kevin Mirallas takes a shot. Save made by Steve Harper.

22:20

A cross is delivered by Steven Pienaar.

21:37

Inswinging corner taken by Kevin Mirallas from the right by-line.

21:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sylvain Distin by Papiss Cisse. Leighton Baines restarts play with the free kick.

19:45

Effort from outside the penalty area by Kevin Mirallas goes wide left of the target.

18:35

Kevin Mirallas takes a shot. Clearance made by Davide Santon.

14:27

Assist by Steven Pienaar.

14:27 Goal scored

Goal - Leighton Baines - Everton 1 - 0 Newcastle A goal is scored by Leighton Baines from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Everton 1-0 Newcastle.

13:35

Vurnon Anita produces a cross, clearance made by Leighton Baines.

12:48

Kevin Mirallas takes a shot. Mike Williamson gets a block in.

12:18

Leon Osman takes a shot. Mike Williamson gets a block in.

11:22

The ball is sent over by Phil Neville, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.

10:36

Leighton Baines produces a cross, Steven Pienaar takes a shot.

5:51

Direct free kick taken by Yohan Cabaye.

5:51 Booking

Booking The referee shows Phil Neville a yellow card.

5:43

Foul by Phil Neville on Papiss Cisse, free kick awarded.

4:42

Unfair challenge on Davide Santon by Kevin Mirallas results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steve Harper.

2:10

The referee blows for offside against Nikica Jelavic. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.

1:49

Centre by Kevin Mirallas, Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Save by Steve Harper.

0:31

Steven Taylor concedes a free kick for a foul on Nikica Jelavic. Direct free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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