By Peter Donnelly
April 7 2003

Newcastle United lost to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, though it was controversial to say the least. Just before Everton's winner Thomas Gravesen blatently hacked down Frenchman Olivier Bernard, however referee Neale Barry failed to give a free kick and didn't even stop the play. Everton went ahead in the first half when young star Wayne Rooney headed home from close range.

Newcastle equalized just before half time though when Laurent Robert scored an amazing goal, it was an unstoppable shot from the left-side. This was another beauty to add to his collection of great goals.

Then on 65 minutes Thomas Gravesen, who was already on a booking, recklessly fouled Olivier Bernard as the midfielder clearly wasn't going for the ball with his stoods showing up to Bernard's knee. However, Neale Barry amazingly didn't give a free kick, not anything. Until the Toffees went straight up the other end of course, when Kevin Campbell claimed for and got a penalty for Everton. David Unsworth converted and Blues went on to win 2-1.

I understand that there's still plenty of time left in the game and we still should have concentrated after Gravesen's 'tackle', so fair play to Everton because they played well. But for the referee not to give such a blatent foul and ultimately a sending off is pretty much unbelievable and I'm not a bit suprised at Shearer and Robson's fury after the game. What Gravesen was thinking I do not know.

Marks full match report will appear here soon.