Source: Northern_Echo
Ben Arfa marks first Newcastle start with winner
HATEM Ben Arfa crowned his first Newcastle start with a long-range winner as the Magpies secured their first Premier League away win of the season at Everton.[LNB] Ben Arfa, who has signed a season-long loan from French side Marseille, scored in the final minute of the first half with a fierce shot from the edge of the area.[LNB] The goal handed Newcastle a deserved success at Goodison Park, although the victory was soured somewhat by the first-half injury that forced goalkeeper Steve Harper to leave the field on a stretcher.[LNB] Newcastle were the better side throughout a one-sided first half, and came close to opening the scoring as early as the ninth minute. Jose Enrique crossed from the left, but Wayne Routledge failed to find the target with a header despite being unmarked eight yards out.[LNB] Phil Jagielka headed wide at the opposite end as Everton briefly rallied, but Newcastle continued to dominate possession and Joey Barton forced Tim Howard into a decent save with a curling free-kick.[LNB] Howard was also forced into evasive action to turn the ball over the bar after Kevin Nolan's cross looped off Jonny Heitinga's head.[LNB] Harper's afternoon ended abruptly in the 33rd minute following a reckless challenge from Jermaine Beckford, who came close to joining Newcastle in January.[LNB] Beckford took Harper's legs from underneath him as he cleared the ball, and the Magpies goalkeeper was forced to leave the field on a stretcher.[LNB] Fortunately, for the visitors, their afternoon improved considerably 12 minutes later as they deservedly claimed the lead.[LNB] Ben Arfa picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, and after turning first one way and then the other to get past Heitinga, the Frenchman cracked a fierce 20-yard strike past Howard's left hand.[LNB] Everton boss David Moyes' response was to make two changes at the interval, with Seamus Coleman and Ayegbeni Yakubu replacing Tony Hibbert and Beckford respectively.[LNB] The hosts were much improved as a result, and Newcastle were forced to withstand a considerable amount of pressure in the early stages of the second half.[LNB] Tim Krul saved from Yakubu with his legs, while Leon Osman skewed a shot badly wide after the ball dropped invitingly for him in the box.[LNB] However, the visitors had a strong penalty appeal waved away with 16 minutes left as Seamus Coleman clattered into Nolan from behind.[LNB] There was almost late drama in stoppage time, but Yakubu could only hit a post after good approach play from Leighton Baines.[LNB] EVERTON (4-1-4-1): Howard; Hibbert (Coleman 46), Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Heitinga (Bilyaletdinov 73); Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini, Osman; Beckford (Yakubu 46).[LNB] Subs (not used): Mucha (gk), Neville, Barkley, Gueye.[LNB] NEWCASTLE (4-4-1-1): Harper (Krul 35); Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique; Routledge, Tiote, Barton, Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 84); Nolan; Carroll.[LNB] Subs (not used): Campbell, R Taylor, Smith, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.[LNB]
