The Magpies went into the game looking to bounce back from Carabao Cup agony against Everton only last Thursday

It is never a good sign when the Gallowgate End are forced to wheel out a terrace golden oldie - but as the rain lashed down on Matthias Jaissle with six minutes left, it could be heard loud and clear.

The simple chant of "attack, attack, attack" will have been lost on CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson. But special club guest Alan Shearer would not have needed reminding of its significance, because unfortunately the Toon legend heard it many times during the dark days of Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit.

This was similar as an average Everton side ran the show against Jaissle's side on a poor and rain sodden night at St James' Park. Having inherited a squad that struggled to a 12th place finish last term, it is not solely down to the German head coach, but boardroom dilly-dallying is starting to shine through now.

Like those abysmal days in the late 1990s, the lack of attacking intent was there for all to see, culminating in the first shot on target coming in the 85th minute. And the Geordie faithful can see it, with the fact that many of them are pinning their hopes on 18-year-old Sean Steur a concern.

Steur was sent on for the final half hour with Jaissle punching the palm of his own hand and pleading with the Dutchman to give it "bang, bang, bang." Steur's arrival on the field had prompted the loudest cheer of the night which says a lot about the current state of affairs on Tyneside.

After the fireworks at the end of the Carabao Cup tie on Thursday night, which included an end-of-game brawl, it didn't take long for the tone to be set at St James' Park as Harvey Barnes clattered into Jake O'Brien inside the first minute. The Toffees registered the first effort at goal when O'Brien's cross fell for James Garner after a clearance but he scuffed the ball wide of Lukas Hornicek's goal.

With 11 minutes gone, William Osula latched on to Harvey Barnes' ball down the left, but effort from a tight angle was gathered, albeit awkwardly, by Jordan Pickford. Amar Dedic played the ball into Joelinton on 16 minutes, but his effort was deflected wide at the Leazes End, and from the resultant corner Dan Burn headed wide.

There was a let-off for Newcastle when Merilin Rohl was afforded time and space on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but he sent his effort over. Tyrique George was next to have a go for Everton but in truth his effort was inches away from the corner flag as the game oozed desperation in the early stages.

Everton won a dangerous free-kick right on the edge of the area on 32 minutes after Burn caught Thierno Barry on the edge of the box. But in a game that lacked quality and substance, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick was blocked by Joe Willock.

Barnes swung in a cross on 38 minutes, forcing Jarrad Branthwaite to hook the ball over his own crossbar but another attack fizzled out. With five first half minutes to go, Joelinton clobbered a right-footed effort wide of the target as the lack of quality continued.

Harrison Armstrong steered a shot wide on the stroke of half-time before the inevitable boos rang out after a shocking first half. The drab affair was then matched by the weather as the cold November rain swirled down on the hallowed turf for the start of the second half with CEO David Hopkinson - who'd dubbed Jaissle a rock star in pre-season - looking concerned as the teams came out after the break.

As Newcastle switched off from an early free-kick with three second half minutes played, George's shot squirmed underneath Hornicek before Barry tapped home the rebound. Newcastle attempted to muster a response just before the hour mark but Anthony Elanga's effort was blocked by Garner.

The levels of desperation rose again for Newcastle as veteran centre-back Fabian Schar wound up for a long range effort, but unfortunately he could not roll back the years and the quest for a shot on target from the Magpies rolled past the hour mark.

Everton then forced a save out of Hornicek when O'Brien's corner was met by James Tarkowski who came close to doubling the lead. Jaissle changed it in the 64th minute with Willock coming off for Yoane Wissa and Sean Steur coming on for Gonzalez.

The woodwork came to Everton's rescue two minutes later as Wissa found Elanga but his shot hit Pickford and struck the post. Somehow it spun back from the line and stayed out.

As the intensity increased, David Moyes was given a yellow card and told by ref John Brooks to "stay off the pitch". Jaissle threw on Jacob Murphy and Jacob Ramsey to try to add more venom as time started to run out for the Magpies. With 12 minutes left Steur started a move that allowed Dedic to tee up Ramsey but his effort whistled wide.

Wissa fired in the first shot on target on 85 minutes but it was easy for Pickford. The England international saved with his trailing leg to deny Wissa in the 90th minute before eight minutes of stoppage time was added.

At the end of the additional period, Ramsey managed to pick up a second yellow card for a brutal foul on Hayden Hackney as Newcastle ended the night with 10 men. Once more, the boos rang out and the top brass took a sharp intake of breath from the director's box.

As the players went off even some supporters booed the lap of appreciation. You couldn't blame them, this was shocking.

Referee: John Brooks (Melton Mowbray)

Attendance: 52,279