Everton players 'running on empty' in win at Newcastle, says Sam Allardyce

Everton manager Sam Allardyce says his side were "running on empty" after building on Sunday's draw in the Merseyside derby with victory over Newcastle at St James' Park.

The Toffees continued their revival under their new manager as Wayne Rooney's 27th-minute strike was enough to seal all three Premier League points on Tyneside on Wednesday night.

Everton rode their luck in the first period as Matt Ritchie and Mikel Merino both struck the woodwork, but Allardyce was delighted with the manner in which his side saw out the contest in the second half.

"I'm pleased for the main, but there's obviously room for improvement," he said. "We played on Sunday, they played on Saturday, so we didn't have as much recovery time. But with a couple of adjustments here and there, we're rolling on.

"It's another goal for Wayne. After a bit of an iffy start, we played our way into the game and played well, using the ball a lot better. I'd have to say the goal was a terrific move. There was a one-two with a flick around the corner and then played down the side.

"I felt Newcastle's chances were a couple of great strikes from long distance so we limited them to few chances and that gives you a platform to go up the other end and get three points."

Everton have collected 10 points in their last four Premier League games - one more than they managed in their previous 12 combined, and the resurgence has been partly been down to a consistent back four.

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Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate were both superb in limiting Newcastle to speculative long shots, while Cuco Martina and Jonjoe Kenny played their part in nullifying the threat out wide.

Allardyce, who has opted to cancel the club's annual Christmas party until after the festive period, heaped praise on his players after remaining unbeaten from three away games in seven days.

He added: "It was an exceptionally good performance on the basis that we're perhaps running on empty after playing on Sunday with the effort we put in.

"The defence have done a fantastic job and that has been the bedrock to our upturn in fortunes. We're heading in the right direction, in the top half of the table where we want to finish in May if we can."

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