Viduka and Owen earn Newcastle first win under Keegan
Saturday, 22 Mar 2008 18:01
Owen was on the scoresheet for the Magpies
Newcastle's relegation fears have eased after a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers
Fulham at St James' Park.
Mark Viduka scored the vital first goal six minutes into the match when he fired home from the edge of the penalty area.
Owen then sealed the match in the 83rd minute when he rose to meet Geremi's free-kick and headed past Kasey Keller in the Fulham goal from six yards out.
The Magpies gifted Fulham a significant amount of possession in the first half but the Cottagers failed to take advantage of it, wasting their good build up play in the final third of the field.
Luckily for Newcastle Fulham's defenders were in generous mood and kept allowing them chances to add to their lead.
Owen should have done better when he headed Geremi's cross straight at Keller and the American keeper produced another save from the England striker when he tipped the ball over the bar.
Obafemi Martins then had a shot saved by Keller before Jimmy Bullard tested Steve Harper in a rare shot on target for Fulham.
Newcastle looked more composed after the break and managed to keep possession of the ball much better than they had in the opening 45 minutes.
Midfielder Joey Barton came close to adding to Newcastle's lead when he struck a fierce shot that flew past Keller's upright with the keeper well beaten.
As time began to run out Newcastle started showing nerves but they were able to celebrate when Owen finally gave them a two-goal cushion.
The win helped Newcastle move up two places in the table and they are now six points clear of the relegation zone.
However, Fulham moved further into danger, occupying 19th place, four points adrift of Birmingham in 17th place.