Newcastle beats Everton 1-0 in Premier League

Published Sep. 18, 2010 5:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

Hatem Ben Arfa marked his full debut for Newcastle by scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday for the team's first away win of the season.

Ben Arfa sent a hard shot into the top corner from 25 yards (meters) in the 45th minute as Everton's poor start to the season continued. David Moyes' team was hoping to build on its stunning comeback against Manchester United last weekend, but couldn't muster a last-gasp equalizer this time as Aiyegbeni Yakubu hit the post in injury time.

Newcastle had an injury blow, however, as goalkeeper Steve Harper was carried off on a stretcher in the first half after falling heavily on his left shoulder after a late challenge by Jermaine Beckford.

Newcastle moved to seven points from five games, while Everton remained in the relegation zone with two points.

Everton were dealt a blow before kickoff when Tim Cahill failed a fitness test on his knee injury while Phil Neville was only fit enough for a place on the bench, meaning Mikel Arteta kept the captain's armband.

The early stages were largely hesitant, although both teams created one decent chance. Ben Arfa sent Jose Enrique sprinting down the left before delivering a cross that Wayne Routledge could only head over the bar. Everton then went even closer in the 16th, with Tony Hibbert curling over a cross that Phil Jagielka headed wide.

Joey Barton then forced Tim Howard into a decent save with a free kick from 25 yards out on the half-hour mark.

Tim Krul, who replaced Harper in goal, made his first save from Leon Osman's weak shot after a good run.

Everton nearly earned a point in the final minutes when a well-worked free kick on the left saw Baines find Yakubu and his shot bounced off the post and onto Krul's back, with the keeper able to grab the ball before it crossed the line.

Everton then looked certain to level when Leighton Baines appeared to have found Marouane Fellaini six yards out but Fabricio Coloccini just managed to deflect the ball behind.