Ferdinand on fire

Newcastle United 1 Ferdinand 17 Everton 0 Attendance:36,557

THE most notorious head in football caused trouble again yesterday. Unfortunately for Everton, who haven't won at St James' Park since their last championship-winning season of 1986-87, the formidable force of Duncan Ferguson's celebrated cranium was eclipsed by the acrobatics of the local hero in the Newcastle goal.

Pavel Srnicek, starting his first game of the season as a replacement for the injured Hislop, performed spectacularly to nullify the havoc that Ferguson's 6ft 3in frame wrought in the Newcastle defence after he replaced Matt Jackson for his longest stretch of premiership action - 35 minutes - since his detainment in Barlinnie prison.

Only 10 days ago Srnicek had let in five goals, including two by Ferguson, in the Newcastle-Everton reserve game in which the Scot made his comeback. Yesterday it was a quite different story, as the former Czech army veteran repeatedly denied the Merseyside club, producing an astonishing save from a deflected Anders Limpar shot nine minutes from time. In the end he left the field to a standing ovation which most spectators would agree had been thoroughly merited, even if it was Les Ferdinand's 21st goal of the season that provided the ultimate difference between the two teams.

There was also a discrepancy in manpower for the last 57 minutes. Newcastle, who are now seven points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premiership, were reduced to 10 men when John Beresford paid the inevitable price for tripping Andrei Kanchelskis as the Russian international raced clear towards Srnicek's goal.

"We played better against 11 men than we did against 10," lamented the Everton manager Joe Royle, swallowing the bitter disappointment of defeat for the first time in seven games. Unlike his players, he had a point.

Newcastle, anxious to return to winning form after disappointing displays at Wimbledon and Chelsea, troubled Neville Southall only once in the first half. That was in the 18th minute, when Peter Beardsley's exquisite through ball was turned into the Everton net from an acute angle by Ferdinand.

Kanchelskis tormented Newcastle in their crucial October defeat at Old Trafford last season and he tormented the unfortunate Beresford again yesterday. He had already left the England B defender floundering twice before forcing the challenge which left the numerical odds in Everton's favour seven minutes before half-time.

Kevin Keegan reshuffled his pack, dispensing with both wingers. He withdrew Keith Gillespie to deploy Philippe Albert against Kanchelskis at left back and pushed David Ginola into a striking role, dropping Beardsley back into midfield. Under this emergency formation Newcastle attacked with renewed vigour, with Ginola shooting across the face of the Everton goal, and then watching in anguish as his drive rebounded off the post.

Ferguson's introduction threatened to turn the tide at the other end but Srnicek held firm behind his shaky defensive colleagues to ensure Newcastle's 100 per cent home record survived intact.

"He was superb," said Keegan. "Apparently his form was a bit ropey before I came here, but it speaks volumes that he is a cult hero here now."