Owen nets equaliser as Newcastle draw at Birmingham
Michael Owen grabs crucial leveller
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Monday, 17, Mar 2008 10:22
Michael Owen scrambled in a second half equaliser as Newcastle United and Birmingham shared the points in a crucial Premier League relegation battle at St Andrews.
Both sides went into the game desperately in need of three points after fellow strugglers Fulham and Wigan won over the weekend and Kevin Keegan signalled his intent from the start, with Owen joined by Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins in a three-man attack.
However it was the home side that took the lead in the 33rd minute after a bright start as the in-form James McFadden got on the end of a teasing David Murphy cross and beat Steve Harper, who was once again called upon to deputise for Shay Given.
Keegan's side only really managed to get into the game after the break, though they were lucky not to go two down straight from the kick-off after Harper was forced to deny Mikael Forssell after an Abdoulaye Faye error put the striker through on goal.
Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor was then called upon to make a brilliant stop at the other end from Owen, stretching out to deny the England striker with his chest.
However, Keegan's trust in the player was soon repaid as he followed up a saved Martins shot to scramble home a crucial leveller for his side from just four yards out.
Aside from a shot on the turn from Martins which required a smart save from Taylor, neither side looked likely to take all the points and, while a draw was a fair reflection on the night's events, it will do little to ease their respective relegation worries.