VICTOR ANICHEBE enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a devastating double to upstage compatriot Obafemi Martins as Everton destroyed Newcastle at Goodison Park.

The 18-year-old scored either side of the break with clinical strikes to put Everton 2-0 ahead before skipper Phil Neville wrapped up an emphatic victory with his first goal for the club. Neville's 62nd-minute goal sent Goodison Park wild but not even his spectacular strike could eclipse Anichebe's exploits.

Everton began brightly in the Merseyside drizzle and created an opportunity in the second minute through a piece of quick thinking from Phillip Neville. The Blues right-back launched a quick long throw-in down the flank which Victor Anichebe raced onto in a flash. The teenage powerhouse sent in a dangerous cross and Andrew Johnson greeted it with a firm header which flew over the bar. Two minutes later, Anichebe was denied from close range by Shay Given as Everton threatened an early breakthrough.

In the ninth minute Everton found themselves ahead when some neat interplay between Mikel Arteta, Johnson and Anichebe forced a corner.

Arteta played the ball short to Neville and his vicious whipped cross was met by Everton defender Joseph Yobo. The clearance from rookie Newcastle left-back Paul Huntington was weak and quickly seized upon by Anichebe who fired a low leftfooted shot into the corner from six yards.

Everton continued to hold the upper hand and their dominance was in no small part down to Neville's steadying influence on the right flank.

Two minutes before the break Newcastle had an opportunity to draw level when Leon Osman hauled down Dyer and Gallagher had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. However, Martins blazed his attempt high over Howard's goal.

Everton should have doubled their advantage six minutes after the break when Johnson's pace took him to the byline and a whipped delivery found its way to van der Meyde. The Dutchman flung himself at the ball but Given produced an outstanding left-handed save to keep Newcastle in contention.

But in the 58th minute, Everton's second arrived through Anichebe again. A right-wing corner from Arteta was met by Johnson's flicked header which was subsequently nodded goalwards by Anichebe. The Nigerian's effort came back off the crossbar but he fired home the rebound. Four minutes later, Goodison Park erupted as Neville hit Arteta's low freekick first time with a mis-hit, dipping effort from 20 yards which flew over Given and into the corner of the net.

To Newcastle's credit, however, they refused to surrender and Sibierski came close with a 12-yard shot which flashed just wide.