Newcastle 3-2 Everton

In fact, it still might, regardless of the turnaround which followed.

But come full-time, Pardew – bookies’ favourite for the vacant manager’s position at Selhurst Park - was applauding those same supporters who had threatened to turn in the wake of Arouna Kone’s early opener and embracing the players who have repeatedly bailed him out this season.

It should have been a cause for celebration. Instead, Pardew refused to speak to the press after the game, fueling speculation he is tempted by a return to London. No reason was given by club officials but it is thought he did not want to answer questions on the link to his former club.

Assistant John Carver would offer nothing more than saying Pardew was ‘happy and delighted’ by the result which halted their losing sequence.

The victory, though, was not without its good fortune. Papiss Cisse should have been sent off after landing his elbow into the jaw of Seamus Coleman four minutes before he pounced to cancel out Kone’s strike.

And Toffess boss Roberto Martinez fumed: ‘He shouldn’t have been on the pitch (when he equalised). It’s unacceptable.

‘The referee should have seen that. It is an action you don't want to see on a football pitch. It is a clear elbow to try and hurt someone.

‘I don’t think that was the reason why we lost but it would have been a completely different game.’

Cisse could well face retrospective FA action but they cannot take away the points which lift the Magpies up to ninth. 

Man-of-the-match Ayoze Perez fired them in front after the break and Jack Colback netted his first in black and white midway through the second half.

Substitute Kevin Mirallas did spark hope of a comeback six minutes from time but the hosts held on for their first win since upsetting league leaders Chelsea three weeks ago.

And Carver said: ‘Alan’s happy. He’s delighted. It’s a fantastic win for us. We’ve been on a run of games where we haven’t won but this was one of our best performances of recent times.

‘When you look at where we were after the first half dozen games of the season (bottom) we’re delighted to be here (ninth).’

For Everton, they have now lost six of their last eight to leave Martinez under pressure.

And the Spaniard said: ‘When you are in a period when nothing goes in your favour you need to be strong.

‘We do need to build some momentum in the league. We haven’t had that this season.'

(dailymail.co.uk)