Newcastle Utd 3 Everton 2:It would be intriguing to overhear the "private conversation" Sam Allardyce says he intends to hold with Steve McClaren regarding Michael Owen's degree of fitness for England duty. Eight days after undergoing the second of two groin operations, Owen stepped off the bench in the 74th minute here and not only headed a vital goal but created another for his fellow substitute, Emre.

It represented good news for the watching McClaren on a day when Everton's Andrew Johnson, who scored here, was withdrawn from his England squad and will, instead, undergo an ankle operation today.

Just eight minutes of the second period had elapsed when Leighton Baines volleyed a cross towards the far post. Timing his run into the box to perfection, Johnson stole fractionally in front of Jose Enrique, stretched out a boot and lashed the ball, first time, beyond Shay Given from close range to equalise after Nicky Butt had given Newcastle a late first-half lead.

When Joelon Lescott booted Alan Smith's penalty-area pass semi-clear, the ball dropped invitingly to Butt and he eluded Tim Howard courtesy of a rather cheeky lob.

Although Obafemi Martins spurned a couple of early chances, Newcastle's play generally lacked imagination and verve. Change was called for and, with David Moyes's team assuming increasing control, Allardyce unleashed Emre and Owen. While Victor Anichebe, whose inclusion saw Everton's record signing Yakubu Ayegbeni demoted to the bench, was thwarted by Cacapa's brilliant block, Mikel Arteta suddenly no longer looked the most skilful individual on view.

That mantle was passed to Emre, who cued up Owen for a chance Howard did well to tip around a post. It was a warning of greater menace, and when Owen's chipped cross was headed partially clear, the ball fell to the Turk, whose shot swerved into the bottom corner.

Returning the compliment, Emre created Owen's goal with a free-kick at which the England striker out-leapt Joseph Yobo, sending his header beyond Howard, before Given palmed Arteta's deflected cross into his own net.

Emre faced an FA tribunal last season after Yobo and Lescott accused him of racially abusive language at Goodison Park. The verdict was not proven and, when Moyes was asked if he felt the Turk's incisive impact somewhat ironic, Everton's manager merely smiled enigmatically.