Newcastle United 2, Barnsley 0

Aug 30 2007 by Paul Gilder, The Journal

IN an attempt to boost the crowd at St James’s Park last night, Newcastle officials offered supporters various incentives that included free tickets, free drinks and discounted shirts.

The biggest attraction was always going to be on the pitch, though. For the supporters who turned out, the chance to see Michael Owen break his 20-month scoring drought in a black-and-white shirt was just too good to miss.

The striker kept his part of the bargain, firing Sam Allardyce’s team into the Carling Cup’s third round with the kind of trademark goal upon which his celebrated career has been built. Not since December 17, 2005, had the 27-year-old found the net in Newcastle colours. Not since September 24, 2005, had he been on the scoresheet at St James’s Park.

Owen will mark his second anniversary as a Magpie tomorrow. Having rediscovered his scoring touch at long last, the England international will hope the next two years are rather better than the last two.

His well-documented fitness problems behind him, Owen’s 57th-minute goal gave his labouring team a breakthrough against resilient opponents. Watching from the directors’ box were the England coach Steve McClaren and Mike Ashley, the club’s owner, who was at St James’s Park for the first time. As at the weekend, the billionaire businessman was wearing a replica shirt bearing Alan Smith’s name and number. Should Owen continue to perform like this, Ashley’s allegiances might well switch.

It underlines the extent of the player’s problems with injuries that the shot that beat Heinz Muller was only his second as a Newcastle player at St James’s Park. It was a vital one, with Allardyce’s team struggling to break down their Championship opponents. United’s fans are thrilled that Owen is back. He didn’t say as much, but so too is the Magpies manager.

As expected, Allardyce rang the changes, but with Owen, Shola Ameobi, Shay Given and Emre among the incoming players, this couldn’t be considered a weakened team.

Seven players were starting a game for the first time this season, with Claudio Caçapa making his full debut and Jose Enrique tasting action for the first time in England. Of those in action at Middlesbrough at the weekend just four lined up against the Championship side.

The Magpies looked the more ambitious outfit during a nondescript opening, but with Barnsley’s five-man midfield stifling their opponents’ efforts, the home threat was negligible. Not until the 15th minute was a chance fashioned, Owen collecting possession from Charles N’Zogbia before racing between Dennis Souza and Dominik Werling and dispatching a rising drive that packed sufficient power to concern Heinz Muller. The German goalkeeper gathered the ball at the second attempt and, although Owen’s effort hadn’t found the net, it still offered encouragement.

It was a rare glimmer during an otherwise-uneventful first half in which Owen and Ameobi proved unable to establish a productive partnership. In fairness, United’s strikers received little service, with Alan Smith’s selection on the right flank ensuring the home team had no natural width on that side. N’Zogbia did prowl with menace on the left, but a player unable to negotiate a route to the byline tended to cut inside where the pitch was at its most congested. Nolberto Solano went close in the 21st minute with a 20-yard drive that was deflected just wide, while N’Zogbia’s close control and quick feet engineered an opening 12 minutes later. This time cutting in served the Frenchman well as he created the space for a shot. But having converted a far more difficult chance at Middlesbrough at the weekend, N’Zogbia dragged the ball wide to his obvious annoyance.

Barnsley’s attempts had been limited to Rohan Ricketts’ wayward shot in the 29th minute, but seven minutes before the break, Newcastle required a smart save from Given to keep them on terms. There appeared to be no danger as Werling stepped up to attack a 25-yard free-kick, but the German’s shot was fierce. He might have been surprised, but Given was equal to it, beating the ball out with characteristic composure.

Nicky Butt replaced the injured Emre within seven minutes of the restart, but it was some creative input that was required as Newcastle’s attacks continued to flounder. That it was Ameobi who provided it in the 57th minute was a surprise. The striker had struggled to make an impact upon his return to the team, but the accurate pass with which he created the opener vindicated his selection.

Collecting possession deep inside his own half, Ameobi showed strength to keep the ball and vision to thread it through the visiting defence and into Owen’s path. There was still work to do, but Owen’s intentions were obvious. Pushing the ball wide in expert fashion, he tempted Muller from his line before sliding his shot under the advancing keeper. That the ball brushed the German’s midriff slowed its pace, but it was not sufficient to halt its progress. As the ball crossed the line and the Gallowgate End erupted, that Owen was a relieved man was obvious.

The striker departed to rapturous applause six minutes from time, although the welcome for Obafemi Martins, his replacement, was just as warm. The Nigerian doubled the lead within two minutes, collecting possession from Solano before steering an acrobatic effort past Heinz. It was an excellent finish, but this game was all about Owen.