Newcastle United were sunk by a 99th minute goal from Alex Iwobi on an utterly bizarre night at Goodison Park. Not helped by the actions of a 21-year-old supporter who entered the field in the second half and tied himself to a goalpost, the Magpies were undone in the added time caused by the long delay against battling Everton.
The incident almost certainly broke the concentration of some players with Newcastle on top in the first half and starting the second in the same manner.
After the fan was eventually freed, Newcastle did regain their composure and saw the Toffees reduced to 10 men when Allan was sent off for a poor challenge on Allan Saint-Maximin. But they were unable to snatch a goal and the intense encounter was decided by Iwobi's late, late strike.
With Everton declared a club in crisis on the field before the game there was a subdued build-up to the game at Goodison Park as a full moon peered over the famous old stadium. As the two sides entered the field from opposite ends - with the ground still under Covid sanctions - it gave the occasion a gladiatorial feel with home fans restless due a run of poor results.
The Toffees made a feisty start to the game and won a corner within three minutes but after getting on the end of the delivery, Ben Godfrey could only head straight at Martin Dubravka. United's first goal attempt arrived on 11 minutes as Ryan Fraser floated in a cross for Chris Wood but his header went into the arms of Asmir Begovic.
Fraser's mis-hit shot skidded wide on 16 minutes as Newcastle tried to get an early advantage on Merseyside. A chance for the Scot followed a couple of minutes later but he was beaten to the ball by Shay Coleman.
Miguel Almiron was next to try his luck on 23 minutes but his low effort was deflected wide of the target.
A Fraser delivery from a corner on the left-hand side found Wood but he glanced the ball high over the bar at the Park End. There were 28 minutes played when skipper for the night Fabian Schar tried to catch Asmir Begovic off his line but the former Stoke stopper claimed the ball.
Everton failed to create much in the first half and Newcastle easily had the better of the opening 45 minutes. The second half started with Joe Willock hitting one on the turn but Begovic made a routine claim.
The game was then delayed for over five minutes as a fan donning a t-shirt reading: "Just stop oil" ran on to the field and tied himself to one of the goalposts. The protest delayed the game by over 10 minutes.
When Newcastle regained their composure they began to press the home team once again. On 69 minutes a run by Almiron picked out Bruno Guimaraes who crossed for Wood but the flag went up.
That was the cue for Howe to make his first change of the night as he replaced Almiron with Saint-Maximin. Emil Krafth was booked for a foul on Richarlison as Everton began to ask one or two questions of the Toon defence.
But Everton came close on 78 minutes when Anthony Gordon forced Dubravka into a save after a long range effort. The Toffees felt they should have had a penalty moments later when Bruno challenged Shay Coleman in the box but ref Craig Paswson said no.
Yet Pawson had a big decision to make after former Napoli star Allan slid in on Saint-Maximin for a bad foul. Pawson went to check the screen before deciding to issue a red card.
The incident was replayed on the big screen with Allan still on the pitch prompting howls of discontent from players and fans in blue.
How introduced Jacob Murphy for Fraser for the last throes of the game on a stormy night on Merseyside. Another Bruno challenge in the box resulted in Everton penalty protests as Gordon went down in hope rather than expectation but Pawson once again rejected the appeals.
With 14 minutes of stoppage time added the tension was palpable around Goodison Park. Two of Howe's subs combined in that extra period with Murphy crossing from the right for Saint-Maximin who headed wide.
The 10 men scored eight minutes into the added time as Alex Iwobi combined with sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin before drilling it low past Dubravka.
Newcastle were unable to lift themselves after the late sucker punch and while they are still nine points above the drop zone, they missed a real chance to put themselves on the brink of safety.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer's verdict on post-takeover Newcastle
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