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.

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.

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. 

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.

‘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!’