Toffees knocked for six

United, desperate to hang on to fourth spot in the Premiership and the promise of a return to European football's top club competition, are now five points clear of Leeds and six ahead of Chelsea from the same number of games.

The Magpies recovered from the shock of falling behind to a goal by old boy Duncan Ferguson to record their biggest win of the season and their first in six games.

Ferguson, who made an acrimonious departure from Newcastle over 18 months ago when he rejoined Everton in a £4m deal, temporarily silenced his critics with a surprise sixth-minute opener.

It was his third goal in as many matches since Moyes took charge of the relegation-threatened Merseysiders and chalked up victories in his first two games.

But Newcastle hit back quickly with goals in the 13th and 15th minutes - Alan Shearer's 21st of the season and injury-jinxed Carl Cort's first since the final day of last term, wiping the smile off Ferguson's face.

Shambolic defending by Newcastle centre-backs Nikos Dabizas and Sylvain Distin, who stood and watched as Niclas Alexandersson equalised from close range in the 34th minute, let Everton back into the game.

But Newcastle regained the lead through Andy O'Brien in the 59th minute before Nolberto Solano struck twice in the 71st and 73rd minutes and substitute Olivier Bernard rounded off the rout two minutes from time.

Kieron Dyer, in only his second start after nine weeks out with a foot stress fracture, was the architect of Solano's first, swapping passes with Shearer before breaking brilliantly down the right to pull the ball back and provide the Peruvian with a simple finish.

Jermaine Jenas's astute ball put Solano clear for his second and 12th this season, and Lomana LuaLua ran all the way down the left at the death to find fellow substitute Bernard, who swept home first time.

United boss Robson had received a double pre-match boost when centre-backs O'Brien and Dabizas were pronounced fit after withdrawing from international duty in midweek with ankle injuries sustained in the FA Cup quarter-final replay defeat at Arsenal a week ago.

Jenas, ineligible for the Highbury clash, returned to midfield at the expense of Clarence Acuna to form an exciting new partnership with Dyer.

But the pair had only had the chance to string one pass together before Ferguson stunned the home crowd.

Magpie old boys combined as left-back Alessandro Pistone launched a long throw-in and Ferguson won the ball in the air.

The big Scot's flick-on came back off O'Brien and Ferguson reacted by hitting a looping right-foot shot which goalkeeper Shay Given reached with his hand but only succeeded in helping on its way into the net.

Ferguson, off-loaded by Newcastle for half as much as he cost after under two years with the club, couldn't contain his delight as he answered United chairman Freddy Shepherd's charge that his injury-plagued stay had been bad business.

But Ferguson's elation was short-lived as United rapped back with two goals in as many minutes.

The visiting defence were caught napping as Laurent Robert took a quick throw on the left to find Shearer in acres of space and the United skipper ran clear to coolly beat South Shields-born keeper Steve Simonsen with an angled right-foot finish.

Everton were still reeling from that blow when Cort ended his goal drought with a classic strike.

Robert burst past two blue shirts down the left and his adroit delivery was met first time in the middle by Cort who cleverly dispatched the ball into the far corner of the net with the outside of his right boot.

Everton were forced to make a change when right-back Tony Hibbert was stretchered away and Steve Watson, a third former United star, was given a generous ovation from the home fans on his latest return to his native Tyneside.

But Newcastle had failed to capitalise on their lead and Everton levelled when Alexandersson was presented with a goal on a plate by a dreadful lack of understanding between Dabizas and Distin, the Swede prodding the ball past the exposed Given from no more than six yards.

Dabizas was the guilty party again in the 38th minute when he spurned a gilt-edged chance to restore the Geordies' lead.

Nolberto Solano lifted the ball in neatly from the right and Dabizas was completely unchallenged as he headed straight into the grateful grasp of Simonsen.

Newcastle were nervy and uncertain at the back and Given had to race from his line to head clear omn the edge of his box after another communication breakdown with Frenchman Distin.

But a Gallic touch helped United regain the lead as the hour approached when Robert swung over a left-wing corner, Dabizas' header was blocked and O'Brien forced home after the ball had squirmed underneath Simonsen and crept over the line.

It proved the prelude to a grand finale from the home side.

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