 Rooney (left) scored Everton's opener |
Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson said his side's title chances were over following the 2-1 defeat by Everton. David Unsworth struck Everton's winner from the penalty spot after Newcastle's Laurent Robert had cancelled out Wayne Rooney's opener for Everton.
Newcastle are now six points behind joint leaders Arsenal and Manchester United with just six games to go.
"It was a massive defeat and has killed our chances," said Robson.
"We were hovering around waiting for Arsenal or Manchester United to make a mistake but this defeat kills any realistic hopes of that.
 The decision in the end cost us the match and has probably cost us any chance we had of the title Bobby Robson on Everton's penalty winner |
"We won't give it up but it now looks like being a fight between ourselves and Chelsea for third place."
Robson cited referee Neale Barry's failure to halt play in the lead up to Everton's crucial second goal as the reason for the defeat.
Barry let Everton continue to attack after Thomas Gravesen had left Olivier Bernard in a heap on the pitch.
Rooney then played Kevin Campbell through and he was adjudged to have been fouled by Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate.
"The decision in the end cost us the match and has probably cost us any chance we had of the title," said Robson.
Everton boss David Moyes tried to get his players to kick the ball out of play after Gravesen's challenge, but to no avail.
"It had been a free-kick and the referee hadn't given it," Moyes said.
"But it must be understood that we had to get past a lot of players from a long way out to even get the penalty.
"In the end you keep playing when you are attacking and keep playing when you are defending and our lads did the right thing to keep going.
"I did apologise to Bobby, but that's football. We've had a few rough decisions against us this season."
Everton are four points behind Chelsea, who occupy the fourth Champions League qualifying spot.
"If we had lost we'd probably have been out of the hunt for a Champions League spot," Moyes added.
"We went out there aiming to consolidate our place in the Uefa Cup but now we aim to go right to the wire with Chelsea for fourth place."
MMIX
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