Having lost 4-0 at West Brom last weekend, Everton needed to rediscover their combative style, and quickly.

And in a game in which referee Howard Webb let far too much go but still booked six players – five from Newcastle – it was a header 54 seconds into the second period from Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo that secured victory for the Toffees.

Webb could easily have added more names to his book and somehow decided that Alan Shearer’s second-half arm into David Weir’s face did not deserve stronger action than the award of a free-kick.

Newcastle were poor up front and Shearer had their best chance when he rounded keeper Nigel Martyn only to see James Beattie clear off the line.

It was a nasty, sometimes spiteful match, but Everton kept their concentration and secured three priceless points.

Everton had midfielder Tim Cahill back following a groin injury while Shearer returned after hernia surgery.

But Michael Owen was denied his first appearance on Merseyside since his move from Real Madrid back to the Premiership, having failed to recover from a groin problem.

Goodison Park paid a tremendous tribute to George Best, Newcastle fans chanted his name and then both teams, officials and everyone in the stadium took part in a thunderous minute of applause while Belfast Boy was played.

The opening exchanges were littered with sloppy defending, constant infringements and the nearest to an early goal came when Jean-Alain Boumsong fouled James Beattie. McFadden drove the 20-yard free-kick around the wall only for Shay Given to palm the ball out.

Celestine Babayaro was booked for fouling Cahill, the prelude to a battle that was to erupt later.

Shearer should have scored when he sprung the offside trap and took the ball around Martyn only to find Beattie back on his own line to clear.

Charles N’Zogbia was booked for a foul on Arteta as Everton bombarded the visitors’ goal.

But five minutes from the break Newcastle should have had a penalty when Shola Ameobi cracked in a 10-yard shot that Phil Neville clearly deflected around the post with his arm. Referee Howard Webb ignored the appeals for hand ball.

Wenn then booked Titus Bramble for pulling down McFadden and, when the free-kick was lifted into the box, Cahill and Babayaro were involved in a nasty exchange with the Everton man claiming he had been hit in the face.

TV replays showed both men swinging punches.

Webb opted for strong words but the players had to be held apart by the official after the half-time whistle, Cahill having plenty to say for himself as he stormed off.

Everton were ahead 54 seconds after the re-start after Given had palmed a McFadden effort for a corner.

Arteta’s cross swung into the six-yard box and Yobo rose to plant a header past Given for only his third goal for the club.

Parker was next on the book after tripping Arteta.

Referee Webb appeared to be slowly losing control when Shearer caught David Weir with his arm – having pointedly looked behind to see where the Scot was. Again there was a lack of decisive action when it was really needed.

But Webb did show a yellow card when Beattie caught Luque on the ankle. Emre’s free-kick was beaten away and, when Ameobi fired the ball back into the box, Parker lifted a volley over the bar, Newcastle at last starting to mount a genuine challenge.

Beattie should have settled the issue when Davies found him unmarked in the box, but the striker blasted his effort high over the bar from 15 yards.

Everton sent on Kevin Kilbane and Leon Osman for Van der Meyde and Arteta to stiffen midfield and, with 10 minutes left, Peter Ramage became the fifth Newcastle man booked when he caught Kilbane in full flow.

There was still time for Given to somehow keep out two efforts from Cahill in the final minutes when again Everton wasted chances to have settled the issue.