“A GOAL THAT WASN’T A GOAL”, according to David Moyes, and a game that bore little resemblance to football. Newcastle United and Everton shared a draw, two sendings-off, a frenetic approach and a nagging belief that each should have left St James’ Park yesterday with more than a point. Fury and frustration bubbled beneath the placid demeanour of both managers.

Everton’s anger was focused on Barry Sygmuta — crazy name, crazy decision — the assistant referee who, in the eyes of manager, players and supporters, denied Everton the chance of victory and second place in the table. As it was, they hopped above Aston Villa into fourth — and they remain unbeaten this season — but, as Moyes pointed out, theirs was a “quiet” dressing-room afterwards.

The “we woz robbed” brigade had a valid argument. Shola Ameobi — who would be an early departee with an ankle injury that will require a scan today — was at least a yard offside when he opened the scoring in the fourteenth minute, controlling a free kick from Emre Belözoglu with a neat touch before shooting past Tim Howard. As is their habit, the Everton defenders had played for offside, the gambit failing when Sygmuta’s flag did not rise.

Moyes did his best to restrain himself. “This year, I really am trying not to mention referees or linesmen,” he said. “I make mistakes and players do the same — we make more than any one official over the course of a game — but if anyone can explain that to me . . . We do try to run up for offside, but Ameobi was the last man, the ball went straight to him and he’s scored.

“You can’t even turn around and say there was a mix-up. One of our players was a bit late moving out, but not as late as Ameobi. What do I do? Do I just stand back and say that’s fine? I’m passionate about winning for Everton and my job is to make sure we do it. We got a bad decision there.”

Glenn Roeder, the Newcastle manager, did not dispute that, although he claimed to have done “his homework” on his opponents’ tactics.

Fuelled by a gnawing injustice, Everton’s response was admirable. Their methods were rudimentary, but effective; with Newcastle reduced to five available defenders — and one of those, Titus Bramble, a liability — they flung curling aerial crosses towards the far post with the reasonable hope of unleashing pandemonium. They were seldom disappointed.

Even before the excellent Tim Cahill had risen above Bramble and Craig Moore to convert Mikel Arteta’s fizzing cross with a firm header, Everton had signalled their intent. From a free kick taken by Arteta, again delivered from the right — where Celestine Babayaro’s suspension left Newcastle bereft — Joleon Lescott avoided an open net, while Lee Carsley would miss from six yards.

There was improvement from Newcastle in the second half, with James Milner a source of direct running and improvisation, but there was no discernable pattern to proceedings and the effect was breathless and shambolic. “It was like a training game by the end,” Moyes said, but a school playground would have been a more appropriate venue. Redemption came for Steve Harper, the goalkeeper whose slip at Anfield had given Xabi Alonso a goal to cherish, when he denied Leon Osman with his legs. Osman had been set free by Moore’s error and culpability revolved around the pitch. “I’m pleased for Steve,” Roeder said. “But it would have been ridiculous if we’d lost that game. We had enough chances to win.”

Everton’s brutal pace waned. Less was seen of Andrew Johnson — who, like Scott Parker, was watched by Steve McClaren; both are under serious consideration for the next England squad — but two sendings-off in as many minutes altered the shape of the match. Neither player could dispute the decision. Bramble and Hibbert had been booked and clumsy challenges on Leon Osman and Antoine Sibierski respectively were witless. Bramble’s brittle concentration has taxed Tyneside’s patience for four years and the centre half was jeered when he traipsed off after 75 minutes. Newcastle will be without him, Babayaro, Giuseppe Rossi, Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Nolberto Solano and, potentially, Ameobi at Old Trafford this Sunday. They also have a Uefa Cup tie against Levadia Tallinn to negotiate.

Referee: S Bennett 3 Attendance: 50,107