Everton 0-0 Newcastle half-time ratings as Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar impress at Goodison Park

Newcastle headed into half-time with Everton level at 0-0 but will be the happier of the two sides after a frantic first 45 minutes on Merseyside. In a game that has been dubbed as Everton's most important for 20 years by some pundits, the Toffees fans made sure it was a raucous atmosphere in the early stages at Goodison Park.

But it was Newcastle who started the better and quickly quietened down the crowd. Chris Wood could only head a searching cross from Ryan Fraser into the grateful arms of Asmir Begovic and then Fraser was denied by a last gasp Seamus Coleman block as he bore down on Begovic's goal.

Corners caused the hosts some issues as an in-swinging Matt Targett provoked panic in the Everton penalty area before a Fraser delivery from the other side was headed over by Wood. Fabian Schar then tried an audacious chip from a free-kick from the halfway line but Begovic managed to backpedal in time to prevent a goal.

As much as Everton were full of energy, Newcastle's midfield trio of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes began to assert their dominance in the middle of the park, with the latter showing the calmness and the quality you'd expect from a Brazilian international big money signing.

Here's how Lee Ryder has rated the players so far. You can follow all the second-half action as it happens in our live blog here, with the post-match reaction and analysis after the final whistle.

Calm and composed

Has coped well enough with pressure from Gray down the left.

Playing some of his best stuff for United right now. Confident enough to try cheeky attempt from own half.

Another strong display. Has fans singing: "He's one of our own."

Does everything so neatly. Another good show.

Recovered from whack in the