Everton are on the brink of the Champions League after a masterful destruction that sparked joyous scenes at Goodison Park.

Goals from veteran David Weir - his first since January 2002 - and another from top scorer Tim Cahill mean the Toffees can start planning for entry into Europe's elite competition for the first time since 1971.

Newcastle made the task easy. They had Shola Ameobi sent off for lashing out at Cahill and produced a limp, disinterested display, even though Cahill could easily have been sent off himself for a string of offences.

For referee Barry Knight it was another unfortunate brush with Newcastle. His only previous red cards in the Premiership this season had been the three Newcastle players he sent off in the infamous game at St James' Park earlier in the season that saw Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer dismissed for fighting each other.

But none of that mattered to Everton. Their fans sing of their history with a line that goes "we don't care what the red side say," and it could not have been more apt considering the long debate over whether Everton or Liverpool should take the fourth Champions League spot.

As the team went on a lap of honour, that place among Europe's elite is all but there after a miraculous season.

Boss David Moyes saluted the packed house as the fans sang "Champions League, we're having a laugh."

Everton had Tony Hibbert back in defence while midfielder Cahill had recovered from a back injury to play in the club's final home league game of the season.

They could have been ahead on seven minutes when Cahill, having been fouled by Jermaine Jenas, jumped up to take the free-kick himself and sent a 25-yarder arrowing for the top corner before Shay Given superbly turned the ball away.

But for much of the first period Newcastle had greater possession and carved out a string of reasonable chances. They wasted a glorious one when Charles N'Zogbia nudged the ball into Darren Ambrose' path. The midfielder was clear but his first touch was dreadful and it allowed Nigel Martyn to save.

But it was increasingly Newcastle on the offensive. Patrick Kluivert dragged a shot across goal from a good position, Ameobi had a shot from 30 yards charged down, and then when James Milner cut in from the right, Martyn smothered the effort at the second attempt.

Newcastle went even closer after Lee Carsley was booked for a foul on Ameobi. Milner lifted the free-kick to the far post and Kluivert saw a close-range header drop inches wide of a post.

Newcastle should have been ahead in a blistering spell that saw Weir block a thunderous drive from Ambrose after a fine break by Ameobi and N'Zogbia. Seconds afterwards, Kluivert's neat touch put Milner clear in the box and Martyn turned the fierce shot over the bar.

But after being stretched for a lengthy period, Everton hit back to take the lead on 42 minutes after a debatable free-kick given against an angry Stephen Carr out on the left for a foul on Kevin Kilbane.

Mikel Arteta lifted the set-piece into the box, Weir arrived on the far post to head past Given. Jean-Alain Boumsong was at fault for dreadful marking in allowing the Scot a free header.

Newcastle were under immediate pressure after the break. Cahill, though, was fortunate to get away with just a warning after stupidly jumping into Given - knocking him into the net - with the ball already high over the bar from a deflection. Given was far from impressed, but referee Knight used words rather than a card to calm things down.

And then Newcastle's task was made even more difficult on 47 minutes when Ameobi was sent off. He had been fouled by Cahill, but was daft enough to lash out at the Aussie and referee Knight instantly brandished a red card. Cahill, after a lengthy warning, was given a yellow.

And a minute later the Aussie had virtually settled things. He found himself onside and clear in the box after an Arteta shot had been deflected to him. He was able to take his time and lash the ball past Given for Everton's second.

Everton replaced Duncan Ferguson with James Beattie, the party by now in full swing all around Goodison.

Newcastle were barely contesting tackles as Everton dominated the pitch. They were inept and feeble.

Jenas, apart that is. And when he challenged Cahill and got a swing of the arm for his troubles, his appeals to the Kent official brought no reaction.

Everton brought on James McFadden for Bent on 74 minutes and they maintained an embarrassing spell of keep-ball to further delight their fans.

Alan Shearer came on for the final minutes, but it was a forlorn gesture for a team who frankly had been a disgrace throughout.

Teams

Everton Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Watson, Carsley, Bent (McFadden 74), Cahill (Stubbs 89), Arteta, Kilbane, Ferguson (Beattie 63).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Pistone.

Booked: Carsley, Cahill, Arteta.

Goals: Weir 43, Cahill 59.

Newcastle Given, Carr (Ramage 45), Boumsong, Bramble, Babayaro, Ambrose, N'Zogbia, Jenas, Milner (Shearer 82), Ameobi, Kluivert.

Subs Not Used: Andrew O'Brien, Harper, Robert.

Sent Off: Ameobi (56).

Booked: Kluivert.

Att: 40,438

Ref: B Knight (Kent).