Moyes: I would have booed Everton off the pitch today too

Everton manager David Moyes pulled no punches in his assessment of his team's performance against Newcastle at Goodison Park today, claiming he would have joined the fans in booing their team off the park.

Magpies new boy Hatem Ben Arfa scored the only goal of the game just before half-time as Everton made it five games without a win in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Everton 0-1 Newcastle: Ben Arfa stunner inflicts more misery on Moyes  

The Toffees' supporters made their feelings known at full-time, and Moyes left his players in little doubt how he felt about their display.

"I would have booed after that performance today," said the Scot. "They are good players and a good team but they now need to stand up and be counted."

The first half was a cagey affair marked by one decent chance for each side, Wayne Routledge for Newcastle and Phil Jagielka for Everton, before Ben Arfa crashed the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

By that point the Magpies had already been forced into a change in goal after Steve Harper landed heavily on his left shoulder following a late tackle from Jermaine Beckford, Tim Krul coming on in his place.

The hosts improved after the break but, in a scenario reminiscent of last week's astonishing comeback against Manchester United, it was not until stoppage time that they really came close to equalising.

First, half-time substitute Aiyegbeni Yakubu hit the post, with Krul just managing to grab the ball before it deflected off him and over the line.

Then, with almost the final kick of the game, Leighton Baines appeared to have put the equaliser on a plate for Marouane Fellaini six yards out but Fabricio Coloccini somehow managed to deflect the ball behind.

Moyes, though, was in no mood to put a positive spin on another disappointing afternoon for Everton.

"We didn't start the game well and Newcastle deserved the victory, I've got no qualms about that," he said. "We had no real chances up until 90 minutes, we're not kidding ourselves about that.

"We then had two and we were maybe a little bit unfortunate that one hits the post and bounces back into the goalkeeper's arms and the other one I actually think was really good defending. The boy just does enough to nick it off him.

"Give Newcastle credit, they came here, stifled, made it difficult for us and did a great job away from home."