NEWCASTLE ..................................................................... 3 Remarkable second Rafa’s men refuse to

IT was like a scene from The Alamo in the second half at St James’ Park as Newcastle United piled forward and refused to give up on three points against Everton.

On a day when it looked like victory had gone up in smoke for the Magpies, they somehow recovered to put in one of their best performances of the campaign.

Three goals in the last 25 minutes ensured Newcastle are now within swinging distance of Premier League safety but they did it the hard way against the Toffees.

A missed penalty from Matt Ritchie and some awful defending in the first half looked to have landed Rafa Benitez’s side in deep trouble.

But the moment that Salomon Rondon’s thunderous scissor kick reduced the scoreline to 2-1, suddenly there was hope around the stadium.

It proved to be the cue for a second half onslaught which puts Newcastle in 13th place with eight games to go.

However, things had looked from pretty at half-time.

Everton created a chance in the first minute but Gyfli Sigurdsson could only fire tamely into the arms of Martin Dubravka.

United found the visitors difficult to break down during the initial exchanges, but a great driving run from Miguel Almiron down the left tested the Everton defence after Ki had played him in.

Sadly, while Almiron’s cross was a good one, nobody timed their run well enough to get on the end of it and the Toffees survived.

On 13 minutes, it was Deandre Yedlin — recalled to the starting line-up — who crossed from the right but Jordan Pickford rushed out to punch the ball away. Ayoze Perez followed up but could only head over the bar at the Leazes far End. Before the game, Benitez had warned his side about losing focus but that’s exactly what happened after 18 minutes.

A poor clearance from Matt Ritchie was intercepted in midfield to hand Lucas Digne space down the right before he clipped in a simple cross for Dominic Calvert-lewin to head home.

It was poor marking from a United point of view as Ki was left trailing and Jamaal Lascelles was beaten in the air for what looked like an avoidable opener.

On 22 minutes Fabian Schar got forward but sent a shot high and wide.

With half an hour gone, United were awarded a penalty after Pickford fumbled a left-wing cross before the ball dropped to Salomon Rondon.

Pickford then hauled back the Number 9 with Lee Mason pointing straight to the spot.

However, after protests from United players who felt Pickford should have been sent off, the ex-sunderland stopper stayed on the field.

Then to add serious insult to injury, Matt Ritchie’s penalty was saved by Pickford with the Scotland international’s effort hitting the legs of the Everton keeper.

Pickford celebrated wildly in front of the Leazes End as United squandered their chance to equalise.

Moments later, the visitors doubled their lead amid further controversy.

This time Isaac Hayden was down injured but Mason opted against stopping play.

Andre Gomes, who shrugged off Ritchie, whipped the ball in from the right but Dubravka could only palm the ball into the path of Richarlison who tapped home Everton’s second.

It meant the Toffees went in with a strong lead at the break but Benitez made a change at half-time.

Paul Dummett replaced skipper Jamaal Lascelles as United switched