Everton secured a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park, making it two wins against the Magpies in just four days.

It was a bright first half for Everton, and David Moyes will be wondering how his side weren't in front heading into half-time.

The ball fell to Thierno Barry from just a few yards out in the first half, but he failed to connect properly with the ball after taking a wild swing at it.

Later in the half, another big chance fell Everton's way. A smart run and pass from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall helped find Harrison Armstrong, but he somehow missed the target with his first-time effort.

Shortly after the break, Everton found themselves in front. A smart set-piece routine allowed Dewsbury-Hall to find Tyrique George with a superb pass. He fired an effort at goal that went through goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, allowing Barry to tap home the opener.

It was a deserved opener for the Toffees after their missed chances in the first half, and Newcastle could have no complaints as Everton went 1-0 up.

Jordan Pickford - B

Always an interesting game for Jordan Pickford, being a Sunderland lad. The Newcastle supporters certainly let him know!

Pickford was anonymous in the first half, which is everything Moyes would have wanted, with Newcastle barely testing the goalkeeper.

After another fairly quiet half, Pickford made a crucial save in the final seconds with his feet, denying Yoane Wissa from close range.

Jake O’Brien - B

Jake O’Brien hasn’t been given too many opportunities by David Moyes so far this season, but he came in at right-back vs Newcastle. The Republic of Ireland international kept Harvey Barnes quiet, while he was also a threat in both boxes aerially.

James Tarkowski - A -

It was a comfortable start to the evening for both centre-backs in the first half, with Newcastle showing minimal threat. As per usual, James Tarkowski was winning everything.

When paired with Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton are more often than not an incredibly solid side at the back. The Newcastle game was no different.

Jarrad Branthwaite - A -

It’s a similar story for Jarrad Branthwaite as it was for Tarkowski. He was incredibly solid at the back, and his inclusion allowed Everton to play a high line due to his pace. Newcastle tried to get in behind regularly, particularly in the first half, but Branthwaite was always there to snuff it out.

Vitalii Mykolenko - B +

Vitalii Mykolenko has had plenty of criticism since his move to Everton, but he’s looked a different player this season. That was no different against Newcastle, with another solid display. Never anything outlandish or crazy in terms of performance levels, but solid.

James Garner - B

James Garner, as he always does, showed plenty of energy in the middle of the park for Everton. Sitting in front of the back four allowed his midfield partners the freedom to get forward.

Sometimes Garner’s influence on the team isn’t too noticeable due to it being mostly off-the-ball work, but he was a key figure in the middle nonetheless.

Harrison Armstrong - B -

Harrison Armstrong showed plenty of energy in the first half, and he should have got himself on the scoresheet. One of the best chances of the game fell to him after some good work by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but his right-footed strike from around 12 yards out was comfortably wide, when he should have scored.

Merlin Rohl - B +

Perhaps one of the surprise inclusions, starting at right-wing like he did against Chelsea. The German showed plenty of energy on the right-hand side in the first half, causing Lewis Hall problems.

Rohl was clearly used as an outlet for Everton, using his pace to get in behind in transition. He also tracked back well to help the Toffees out defensively.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - A

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was playing in his usual advanced midfield role. In the first half, Dewsbury-Hall was finding himself in lots of space in between the lines, and was undoubtedly Everton’s most creative threat.

That showed as Everton opened the scoring, finding George with a superb pass before his shot was palmed away and tapped in by Barry.

Overall, a faultless performance from the former Chelsea midfielder. He was everywhere, and played a crucial role in the goal.

Tyrique George -B -

It was a quiet first half for Tyrique George, who struggled to get himself involved.

Shortly after the break, however, George made a clever run from a set-piece to fire at Lukas Hornicek, with the goalkeeper spilling it before Barry fired home.

Fairly quiet overall, but didn't do an awful lot wrong.

Thierno Barry - B

Thierno Barry had an excellent chance to open the scoring for Everton in the first half, taking a wild swipe at the ball from close range, but he failed to connect properly.

Barry did make up for his missed chance, though, scoring the opening goal of the game as he tapped home from close range just after the break.

Barry struggled to get involved in the game outside of his opportunities in front of goal, but ultimately, scored the winner for the Toffees.

David Moyes - A+

Although Dewsbury-Hall was the best performer on the pitch, David Moyes has to be given his flowers.

The Everton manager has taken a lot of criticism in recent weeks, but he answered those critics with a fantastic 1-0 away victory.

Moyes made some bold decisions to take Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling out of the team, while also starting Merlin Rohl at right wing.

When you make decisions like that, they have to work out, and no one can question Moyes for the decisions he made against Newcastle.

The team looked incredibly balanced and fully deserved their victory.