The great goalscoring days of Ian Rush are almost certainly in the past but the former Liverpool forward has still not entirely lost the nack as he proved at Goodison Park yesterday.

For the umpteenth time in his career he was in the right place at the right time to settle this undistinguished encounter. His goal, bundled over the line from short range in the 67th minute, was not one of his best but its value cannot be overestimated.

It could rescue a Newcastle season in steep decline. The European Champions' League is no more than a distant memory while any challenge to Manchester United for the Premiership appears no more than theoretical.

A long Cup run, then, could provide the salvation for Newcastle and their fans. It does not, in all truth, look likely on this evidence and, patently lacking confidence, they will not view even a visit to non-league Stevenage with anything but the utmost respect. But there were signs here of better things ahead.

Rush's only other goal this season was in the League Cup against Hull City, but he made a marked difference to Newcastle as soon as he arrived as a replacement for the deeply disappointing Faustino Asprilla in the 52nd minute.

He may be 36 now but he injected the sense of urgency the Colombian international lacked and in a sterile contest which had looked destined for a replay the Everton fans must felt some trepidation at Rush's arrival. He has, after all, driven enough stakes into their hearts in the past.

Their fears were realised within 15 minutes. Rush, now partnering John Barnes up front, forced the ball home after Keith Gillespie's cross from the right had held up on the greasy turf and Barnes, skilfully, turned the ball back inside.

Rush might be no real replacement for Alan Shearer but it is doubtful if any goal in his life has given him more satisfaction, and his enthusiasm here suggests that his feel for the game and his ambition are as keen as ever.

At the interval, one former Everton international, said that he had seen more "life in a tramp's vest" and it was a pretty dire spectacle for Everton's second lowest home crowd of the season.

There were, though, mitigating circumstances. Newcastle were without five players but Everton were missing 12 men through either suspension or injury - a situation reflected in the numbering of their players. Only two of them wore single figures yesterday.

Against that background, Howard Kendall, the Everton manager, did not sound as if he he were making excuses when he said afterwards that while he was disappointed with the result he was pleased with the performance.

Everton's plight was underscored by the appearance of Tony Grant who had not played since October 1st but had to be plunged straight in without the benefit of a recuperative game in the reserves.

But it is now back to the fight against relegation and for Liverpool in general there is the curious scenario, at this early stage of the competition, of Tranmere Rovers offering the city its remaining hope of Cup glory.

Despite their stretched resources, however, Everton defended competently enough and competed well but they were let down up front where Duncan Ferguson never looked likely to repeat the headed hat-trick he had achieved against Bolton the previous week.

Too often Everton relied too much on Danny Cadamarteri. The youngster lacks a bit of height but his strength, determination, and skill deserved some reward and should have brought at least one goal in the 62nd minute when he carved an inviting opening for Ferguson.

But Ferguson got his feet into a fearful tangle and the chance was lost. He tried to make amends with two headers in the final 13 minutes but could get neither power nor direction on either of them.

In a wretched first half the bookings of Grant and Alessandro Pistone provided some rare signs of passion. It got much more heated after half time with bookings for Ferguson, Robert Lee, Darren Peacock, John Oster and John Beresford.

EVERTON: Myhre, Thomas, Dunne, Tiler, Ball, Cadamarteri, Grant, Farrelly, Thomsen (Oster 72), Barmby, Ferguson. Subs Not Used: Allen, Jevons, Hill, Gerrard. Booked: Grant, Ferguson, Oster.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Hislop, Beresford, Peacock, Lee, Barnes (Hughes 84), Asprilla (Rush 52), Pearce, Gillespie, Watson, Hamilton, Pistone. Subs Not Used: Ketsbaia, Tomasson, Given. Booked: Pistone, Lee, Peacock, Beresford. Goals: Rush 67.

Referee: M J Bodenham (East Looe).