EVERTON continue to search for their first victory of the season after a frustrating 1-0 home defeat by Newcastle.
The Toffees produced their poorest display of the season to erode any optimism generated by their dramatic comeback against Manchester United here last Saturday.
Worryingly, Everton were outplayed by a visiting side with less supposedly world-class players and one which was largely unchanged from the team relegated two seasons ago.
David Moyes' side started sluggishly under a sheet of heavy rain, and appeared to miss the combative edge and aerial threat of the injured Tim Cahill.
His replacement, Jermaine Beckford, had little to feed off but still seemed to be coming to terms with the pace of the top flight and rarely threatened.
The home side were forced repeatedly onto the back foot, their only credible opportunity coming shortly before the interval, when Steven Pienaar seized on a bouncing ball and played in Leon Osman who was through on goal but shot weakly under pressure.
But then Hatem Ben Arfa, a rumoured target for Moyes before his switch to Tyneside, gave the visitors the lead.
