Everton 0-0 Newcastle: Anthony Gordon sees penalty saved by former Toffees team-mate Jordan Pickford after Abdoulaye Doucoure has goal ruled out on busy night for VAR

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Everton academy graduate Anthony Gordon gave his hometown club some happy moments wearing royal blue but nothing to match the jubilation he created at Goodison on Saturday by missing a penalty for Newcastle.

Already public enemy No 1 for the acrimonious way he left Merseyside in 2023, the roars that greeted his spot-kick being saved by Jordan Pickford were ear-splitting.

It also proved pivotal in earning Everton a point despite Newcatle's domination as they chased a return to the top four.

Even then, there was something for Blues fans to gripe about as referee Craig Pawson didn't grant Dominic Calvert-Lewin a penalty in the second half. 'Anywhere else on the pitch it's given as a foul,' lamented their manager Sean Dyche.

Gordon was always going to be a central figure. Not only because of his past history but also due to Newcastle's injury situation which meant Eddie Howe used him as a striker.

Anthony Gordon failed to convert a penalty kick for Newcastle against former club Everton

Newcastle No 10 Gordon saw his tame effort from 12 yards saved by 'keeper Jordan Pickford

Pickford was congratulated by his Everton team-mates after denying Gordon from the spot

His overall performance was good but he fluffed his big moment when James Tarkowski hauled Sandro Tonali to the floor after 35 minutes and Pawson pointed to the spot after checking his monitor.

Gordon's run-up suggested he was going to strike to the 'keeper's left and Pickford dived that way and blocked with his legs before being mobbed in celebration.

'You try to double-bluff each other and I've got the better of him,' said Pickford about the duel with his former team-mate.

'I don't think Ant executed it to perfection and he'll be disappointed, but I am there to make the save.

'It was a big moment and managed to get us a draw. He asked me after the final whistle why I went that way and I said: "You went right the last two times so I had you going to the left!".

'I back myself in pens. To get that first clean sheet this season, I might treat myself to a couple (of drinks).'

On his 300th match as a Premier League manager, Toon boss Eddie Howe didn't pile any blame onto Gordon who did his best to cover for the absences of injured duo Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

'Naturally he will be disappointed but a much better performance from him here than last year. Anyone can miss a penalty. We support him,' said Howe.

'Any team will miss their strikers. There were elements of our game slightly missing, but Anthony has done incredibly well to help us plough on without them.'

Newcastle had the lion's share of possession and Everton didn't win a corner all evening.

Iliman Ndiaye cleared off the line from Bruno Guimaraes, Pickford saved well from substitute Miguel Almiron and Gordon blazed over when presented with a late chance to redeem himself. 

Abdoulaye Doucoure (left) appeared especially delighted following Pickford's penalty save

Doucoure had earlier headed the ball into the Newcastle net in the 18th minute of the match

The Everton players celebrated Doucoure's goal but it was eventually disallowed by the VAR

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Tarkowski also brilliantly blocked a shot from Tonali early in the second half after Gordon had dribbled past Ashley Young.

Everton, down at the other end of the table, dug in and were disappointed an early header from Abdoulaye Doucoure was offside.

There was controversy midway through the second half when Calvert-Lewin's shot was saved by Nick Pope and he collided with Dan Burn as they raced to the rebound.

VAR didn't ask Pawson, who waved away penalty appeals, to reconsider and on TV and radio, ex-players were split in their opinion.

A statement from refs' body PGMOL said the initial contact had been made by the Everton striker not Burn but not surprisingly, Dyche felt his side had been hard done by.

Multiple VAR reviews was called for during Saturday evening's game in the Premier League

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (left) was denied a penalty after falling under pressure from Dan Burn

Everton manager Sean Dyche was animated on the touchline at multiple points during the tie

'The thing I can't work out is I see so many weak penalties. Dominic was trying to strike at goal and their defender can't reach it,' he said. 'I can't see it as anything other than a penalty and they don't even look at it.

'Our record is awful in getting penalties. The powers-that-be will give a technical reason but if you get a tap on the shoulder, their legs buckle, these wonderful athletes!'