Ten-man Newcastle gave manager Joe Kinnear another tonic as they scrapped to a precious point after a 0-0 draw with Everton at St James' Park.

Kinnear left hospital on Saturday after undergoing a triple heart bypass, hoping a second successive Premier League victory would aid his recovery.

His hopes were dealt a serious blow when midfielder Kevin Nolan was sent off for a dreadful 43rd-minute challenge on Victor Anichebe, but he will have been delighted by the spirit his team showed to battle to a point.

Two first-half saves from goalkeeper Steve Harper ensured a first clean sheet in nine league games, and Peter Lovenkrands and substitute Jonas Gutierrez might even have snatched victory in a full-blooded contest which lacked quality but not effort.

The Magpies move up to 14th in the Premier League table while Everton remain sixth.