Premier League: Newcastle 2 Everton 1

Ryan Taylor scored a phenomenal volley to help Newcastle United continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League on Saturday.

Taylor struck in the 29th minute after Everton defender John Heitinga had scored an own goal in the 12th minute.

Jack Rodwell reduced the arrears on the stroke of half-time in a thrilling encounter at St James’ Park.

The first real chance of the game fell to the Merseysiders on 10 minutes, as Royston Drenthe crossed from the left and Louis Saha’s flick on fell to Seamus Coleman at the far post.

The young midfielder should have done better, but hit his shot wide, failing to test Tim Krul.

Newcastle took the lead when right-back Danny Simpson whipped in a dangerous cross from the right wing, and a mis-communication between Heitinga and goalkeeper Tim Howard saw the Dutch centre-back slice the ball into his own net.

Against the run of play, Everton then managed to manufacture three chances in quick succession. The best by far fell to Saha who ran free of the home defence after an aerial ball beat the Toon defence.

However, the Frenchman dwelt on the ball, allowing Steven Taylor to pressure him into squandering his shot.

Moments later, David Moyes’ men were made to rue their missed chances after a failed clearance from a Newcastle throw-in fell to Ryan Taylor on the edge of the area.

The left-back had no right to score, but after Drenthe failed to close him down the he smashed an unstoppable volley, leaving Howard helpless.

Minutes later, the Toffees defence again failed to clear the ball, leaving Danny Guthrie with a chance to volley from the edge of the box.

The ball took a long time to fall for the midfielder, giving Heitinga time to get a block in.

On the stroke of half-time, Everton won their first corner of the match after a strong run down the right flank. Jack Rodwell ran to the front post to meet the ball and nod it past Krul.

Newcastle continued to pile the pressure on Moyes’ men after the interval. The first chance came as the ball fell to Guthrie on the edge of the box, but the midfielder did not have time to settle and shot high and wide.

Moments later, Saha hit a powerful, low shot but Taylor managed to deflect it wide.

On the 60-minute mark the end-to-end nature of the game was perfectly illustrated, with Tim Cahill getting a shot on target which Krul saved comfortably, before Sammy Ameobi smashed high and wide at the other end.

As ever, the Merseysiders refused to give up and were relentless in attacking the Magpies’ goal. But the equaliser failed to materialise, with Louis Saha missing a late chance and Tim Cahill failing to connect with a cross.