What the papers say: Newcastle

[Far Canal]

Owen's long-awaited return spoiled by Kitson winner

Jeremy Wilson at the Madejski Stadium
Tuesday May 1, 2007
The Guardian

http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Re ... 35,00.html

Michael Owen's long-awaited return provided a chink of light at the end of Newcastle's gloomy season - but he still could not
prevent a 12th away defeat in the Premiership.
Although Owen ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing against Sweden in the World Cup last June, this was his ï¬

[Far Canal]

sportinglife.com

Reading 1 Newcastle 0

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

http://tinyurl.com/2kbh8z

Michael Owen finally made his long-awaited comeback but the England striker's presence could not prevent Newcastle slipping
to defeat at the Madejski Stadium.

All eyes were on Owen, who has been out for 10 months since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in last summer's World Cup,
but it was Reading marksman Dave Kitson who stole the show.

Kitson buried Seol Ki-Hyeon's cross in the 50th minute for his second Barclays Premiership goal in an injury-hit season to
clinch the Royals' third straight victory.

A cool seventh-minute finish also saw Owen, making only his 11th start for Newcastle since arriving from Real Madrid in August 2005,
put the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Magpies boss Glenn Roeder had been able to select the £17million signing just once before tonight - bringing him on as a second-half
substitute against Birmingham in April last year.

But Owen completed tonight's match and did not look too far off the pace to soften the blow of yet more injury problems for Roeder.

Antoine Sibierski withdrew shortly into the second half with a suspected broken arm and soon after Emre was stretchered off in
considerable pain following an apparently innocuous tackle.

Shola Ameobi, who has been out since November after undergoing hip surgery, replaced Sibierski to give Roeder more options
for the two remaining games.

The defeat will have done little to relieve the pressure on Roeder whose position has been the source of speculation amid claims
Sam Allardyce, who quit as Bolton boss on Sunday, is poised to take over.

In contrast, Reading manager Steve Coppell's Midas touch continued as the Royals climbed to seventh in the Premiership with a
victory that catapulted them back into the UEFA Cup reckoning.

Coppell's side were nearly caught out early on tonight, however, when with barely a minute on the clock Owen dashed in to meet
Emre's cross only to fall inches short with a flag also raised for offside.

Owen had the ball in the back of the net in the seventh minute following a beautifully-worked move but once again the linesman
came to Reading's rescue.

Sibierski found Martens and the former Inter Milan marksman threaded a perfect ball through to Owen who raced clear and found
the back of the net, only for Newcastle's celebrations to be silenced by a raised flag.

Reading had a penalty shout turned down when Titus Bramble sent Kevin Doyle tumbling with a robust shoulder-barge but referee
Mike Riley waved play on.

Doyle then fired inches wide after a poor clearance from goalkeeper Steve Harper landed at his feet and moments later
defender Michael Duberry blazed over the crossbar.

Nicky Shorey and Dave Kitson combined to good effect but Newcastle's defence recovered in the nick of time with Doyle lurking.

Hunt was booked for a nasty challenge on Nolberto Solano as the chances at both ends dried up.

James Milner burst from midfield, easily evading a tackle by Seol and then escaping Duberry before hitting the top netting with
a well-struck shot.

A crafty free-kick saw Owen release Kieron Dyer down the right with the England midfielder then squaring the ball dangerously
across the face of goal, but keeper Marcus Hahnemann came to the rescue.

Reading broke free in the 44th minute but Doyle, who was being well-marshalled by Solano, ran down a dead end with Kitson
waiting on the edge of the area.

Dyer fired wide after being teed-up by Owen shortly into the second half but Reading then breathed life into a game that had
fizzled out after a bright opening.

Seol did the damage with a floated cross which fell perfectly for Kitson after John Oster had ducked to allow the ball to reach
his team-mate.

Kitson made no mistake from 15 yards out, rifling home in emphatic style for his fourth goal in an injury-hit season and the 50th
of his Reading career.

Sibierski was replaced by Ameobi after sustaining a suspected broken arm but the former England Under-21 international
made a hash of a great chance moments after arriving on the pitch.

He was picked out by Milner but despite being unmarked and having time to compose himself, he directed his header straight
at Hahnemann.

Newcastle's problems increased when Emre was stretchered off in the 61st minute following a strong tackle from Kitson.

The Reading hitman then nearly made it two for the home side after Doyle pounced on Dyer's mistake but he blasted just wide.

Martens was off-target with a routine header and Seol powered wide with a useful shot.

Newcastle finished the stronger side as they went in search of the equaliser but they could not deny Reading their 16th
Premiership win of the season.

Teams:

Reading Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey,Ki-Hyeon, Gunnarsson (Harper 90), Oster (Bikey 90),
Hunt,Doyle, Kitson (Long 89).

Subs Not Used: Federici, Halford.

Booked: Hunt, Kitson.

Goals: Kitson 51.

Newcastle Harper, Solano, Bramble, Taylor, Carr, Milner,Emre (N'Zogbia 60), Dyer, Sibierski (Ameobi 54), Owen, Martins.

Subs Not Used: Srnicek, Onyewu, Carroll.

Att: 24,109

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

STAT ATTACK
Reading......Newcastle
8 Shots On Target 11
5 Shots Off Target 7
14 Fouls (Conceded) 11
8 Corners 10
2 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

[TFF]

Kitson spoils Owen's return

By Martin Smith
Last Updated: 10:58pm BST 30/04/2007

Reading (0) 1 Newcastle United (0) 0

One year and a day after he last pulled on a black and white Newcastle shirt in public, Michael Owen made his long-awaited return. He lasted the full 90 minutes of another disappointing Newcastle away performance, largely because manager Glenn Roeder was running out of suitable replacements on the bench.

Owen looked spent by the end, playing at little more than walking pace, though his mere presence on the pitch was significant and important, as well as a morale-boost for a player who has had more than his share of time in the rehabilitation ward.

His return had been a long time coming. Indeed it was almost 10 months since he last played a competitive match, and that in a red international shirt against Sweden in England's third World Cup group in Cologne last June. Owen lasted less than a minute before damaging the anterior ligament in his right knee.

This, though was only Owen's 12th appearance for Newcastle in almost two full seasons. How Newcastle have missed him.

They had failed to score in six of their previous eight games, and struggled again last night.

In the end, Owen was upstaged by Dave Kitson, who has also missed a large chunk of the season through injury, and who scored the goal that lifted Reading back into the Uefa Cup-qualifying positions.

It might be optimistic to think Owen will reappear in an England shirt before the end of the season. However, Steve McClaren dispatched his assistant, Terry Venables, to assess his fitness with a friendly against Brazil at the new Wembley in a month's time, and a Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia a few days later.

Owen's first touch came after 35 seconds, when he won a tackle with Brynjar Gunnarsson; half a minute later he was stretching, unmarked, and just failing to reach Emre's cross, which flashed past Marcus Hahnemann's left-hand post; and inside seven minutes he did what he does best and deposited the ball in the net. However, he had advanced just ahead of the Reading defence to meet Obafemi Martins's through-ball, and the offside flag was up before he had stroked it clinically past the goalkeeper.

Reading's fans sang: "Same old Owen, always offside," but it was more in relief than malice. They had earlier applauded just as loudly as the travelling support when his name was announced before the start.

There was a moment midway through the first half when there were a few hearts in mouths as Owen flexed his knee after stretching again for a cross from James Milner. His move to the bench looked ominous until he accepted a drink and then bent down to adjust his right boot.

The deadlock was broken six minutes after half-time when Kitson scored his first League goal since the opening day of the season. It owed much to an elegant dummy by Doyle, from Seol's cross, allowing Kitson space to control and smash into the net.

The arrival of Shola Ameobi and Charles N'Zogbia for the injured Antoine Sibierski and Emre made it more difficult for Roeder to allow Owen the early retirement intended. Ameobi should have scored within five minutes of coming on, but headed Milner's centre straight at Hahnemann.

Match details

Reading: Hahnemann; De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey; Ki-Hyeon, Gunnarsson (Harper 90), Oster, Hunt; Doyle, Kitson (Long 90).
Subs: Federici, Bikey, Halford.
Booked: Hunt, Kitson
Newcastle: Harper; Solano, Bramble, Taylor, Carr; Milner, Emre (N'Zogbia 60), Dyer, Sibierski; (Ameobi 54) Owen, Martins.
Subs: Srnicek, Onyewu, Carroll.
Man of the match: Dave Kitson (Reading).
Referee: M Riley.

---------------------------------

Well played no 13

[Coppelled Streets]

Owen this, Owen that...... Bovvered?

Cracking strike by kitson!!!!

"We're all goin' on a European tour, on a European tour, on a European tour........."

[Lieutenant Pigeon]

More Owen orientated coverage....

The Times.

Owen offers England hope by crossing his first hurdle
Reading 1 Newcastle 0

Russell Kempson

Michael Owen, the England striker, made his long-awaited comeback last night, but an encouraging personal display was not matched by that of his team, Newcastle United. Owen returned after an absence of 314 days, his first game since injuring his right knee in the World Cup finals last summer, but Newcastle still produced another limp display and were deservedly beaten by Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

England’s need for Owen’s swift return is probably even greater than that of Newcastle, with a friendly against Brazil at the new Wembley Stadium next month followed by a European Championship qualifying match in Estonia. How Steve McClaren, the embattled England head coach, could do with Owen’s predatory powers.

McClaren presumably watched from afar last night but Terry Venables, his assistant, travelled to Berkshire and sat alongside Martin O’Neill, the Aston Villa manager. It was worth the trip, with Owen looking sharp in his first start since that fateful day in Cologne when his knee collapsed under him as England played Sweden.

Glenn Roeder, the Newcastle manager, had planned to give Owen only an hour. However, after Reading had gone ahead and Antoine Sibierski broke an arm, when Dave Kitson accidentally kicked him in the act of scoring, and Emre Belözoglu twisted an ankle, Roeder had to keep his talisman on.

“I was disappointed with the result, but on a personal level I felt good,â€

[Huntley & Palmer]

Daily Express

KITSON PUTS OWEN IN THE SHADE



Dave Kitson

Tuesday May 1,2007
By Gideon Brooks Have your say(0)
READING 1 NEWCASTLE 0

It was all meant to be about Michael Owen last night and, for the most part it was, but once again Steve Coppell’s Reading stole the limelight.

Dave Kitson’s well-executed winner shortly after half-time – his first league goal since the opening day of the season – kept Reading on track for Europe, leaving Newcastle to merely make up the numbers in the Premiership.

The England striker completed the game, incredibly, but that was the only good news for the travelling Toon Army.

He did, though, show promising signs for both England coach Steve McClaren and Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder on his return from serious injury.

Another three points for Reading to take them back into seventh place was, for Coppell, further unwelcome momentum towards a European adventure that he feels could come too soon for a club in only its first Premiership season.


that will be a nice headache to take into his summer holiday

But that will be a nice headache to take into his summer holiday.

For Owen, last night’s was his first appearance in a Newcastle shirt since April last year when he came off the bench for a cameo against Birmingham at St Andrews – the same Birmingham who have been both relegated and promoted in his absence.

It has been a long 10 months on a road back that took him on two separate occasions to the Colorado clinic of Richard Steadman to repair the right knee ligaments he damaged at the World Cup.

And it has been a road not without its bumps or controversy either. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who sat stone-faced in the crowd for much of last night’s game, is demanding compensation from the FA for the injury suffered on national and not club duty.



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While on the pitch, both Newcastle and England for that matter have struggled to find the goal without Owen.
His reappearance last night was then a huge boost to McClaren, represented in the stands by his No2 Terry Venables, who no doubt spent time inking the striker’s name on to the team sheet for the Brazil friendly on June 1 and the crucial qualifier against Estonia on June 6.

It was also a welcome boost for Roeder at a time when his tenure at St James’ Park once again seems under threat with Sam Allardyce linked to a summer move to the club. The England striker very nearly capped his return with a goal in his first minute on the pitch. With the rousing reception from all points of the ground still ringing in his ears,

Owen was stretching and narrowly failing to get on the end of a cross from the left after springing the offside trap.
After seven minutes he had the ball in the net, hammering it past Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal only for the offside flag to be raised.

If the early storm was all Newcastle, Reading slowly clawed their way back into the match and were unlucky not to take an early lead.

Kevin Doyle was barged off the ball by Titus Bramble only to see his penalty appeal waved away and then when

Steve Harper’s misjudged clearance from Bramble’s back-pass found its way to his feet, Doyle’s shot was deflected wide by Steven Taylor.

James Milner forced a few hearts to flutter in the home stands when shooting narrowly over after 38 minutes and in the only other moment of note, Kingsley the Lion, the 7ft Reading mascot, was given a talking to by referee Mike Riley after his shirt confused the referee’s assistant on the far side.

Reading’s breakthrough came just six minutes after the break when Seol Ki-Hyeon’s ball was nicely dummied by Doyle on the penalty spot, skipping through to Kitson unmarked 10 yards out on the left of the box. His finish, high and hard past Harper, made no mistake.

The home side and Kitson very nearly had a double when Doyle’s pass was latched on to by the striker only for his flashed shot with the outside of his left boot to breeze narrowly wide.

Doyle felt he had a second penalty shout turned down when he was grappled to the floor by Nolberto Solano after 69 minutes but Riley once again turned him down. It didn’t matter.

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann; De La Cruz, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Seol, Oster (Bikey 90), Gunnarsson (Harper 90), Hunt; Doyle, Kitson (Long 89). Booked: Hunt, Kitson. Goal: Kitson 51.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-1-2): Harper; Solano, Taylor, Bramble, Carr; Dyer, Emre (N’Zogbia 60), Milner; Sibierski (Ameobi 54); Owen, Martins.
Referee: M Riley (Yorkshire).

[Huntley & Palmer]

The Mirror

ON the night of Michael Owen's Premiership comeback, it was another injury-hit forward who ironically claimed another win for Reading.

Dave Kitson missed the first six months of the season with knee and then calf problems, and even had his appendix out over Christmas.

But last night the redheaded frontman, starting only his eighth Premiership game, smashed home the goal which lifted last year's Championship winners back into the UEFA Cup reckoning.

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With three wins in a row, Steve Coppell's side are racking up the points, in total contrast to Glenn Roeder's toothless Newcastle.

The Magpies boss awoke to more speculation about his position yesterday with Sam Allardyce now on the job market. And a run of only one win in nine games will do little for his prospects.

Even with Owen making his first appearance for the club in over a year, Newcastle have now not scored in eight of their last 11 games. In the second minute, Owen ran off the shoulder of the home defence to just miss an Emre cross only to be wrongly flagged offside. It was to set the tone for the half with the England forward playing cat-and-mouse with the Reading defence. It was as if he had never been away.

He was flagged again after seven minutes before sliding the ball home after a smart little pass from Obafemi Martins. And he drifted behind Nicky Shorey to head a James Milner cross wide after 21 minutes.

Reading's best chance of the opening period was created when Steve Harper scuffed a clearance to the feet of Kevin Doyle after nine minutes and the Irishman's deflected shot off Steven Taylor bobbled just wide of the post.

The Magpies came closest to taking the lead after 37 minutes with a cleverly worked free-kick.

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Milner slid in Kieron Dyer down the right side of the box and only a sharp save from Marcus Hahnemann prevented Shorey scoring his second own goal in as many games. The only bad challenge of the half saw Stephen Hunt booked for a nasty lunge at Nobby Solano by Mike Riley, the referee who took no action against the winger for his skull-cracking challenge on Petr Cech on his last visit to the Madejski Stadium in October.

But the official did ask Reading mascot Kingsley - a lion in a Royals strip - to move from the sidelines behind the goal to stop him getting caught offside.

The deadlock was finally broken after 51 minutes. Seol Ki-Hyeon crossed from the right and John Oster jumped over the ball to allow Kitson the time and space to control and lash home a left-foot shot for his fifth Premiership goal of the season.

Reading manager Steve Coppell was still not getting too excited by the prospect of playing in Europe. He said: "We will accept whatever happens and my job is just to get as many points as we can. If that means Europe, we will take it. It's just an after thought. We just think about preparation for the next game."

READING: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon, Gunnarsson (Harper 90), Oster (Bikey 90), Hunt, Doyle, Kitson (Long 89).

NEWCASTLE: Harper, Solano, Bramble, Taylor, Carr, Milner, Emre (N'Zogbia 60), Dyer, Sibierski (Ameobi 54), Owen, Martins.

[RoyalBlue]

"particularly by utilising Seol on the right.
The tactic quickly paid dividends. The South Korean provided an excellent cross which was dummied by John Oster to allow Kitson to
ï¬

[Medusa?]

Can anyone explain this sentance from the BBC match report?

"And the hosts were almost made to pay when Kitson latched on to Doyle's pass and flashed a shot just beyond the upright."

Says a lot about the reporting, really.

[Squelchy2507]

And that rag called The Mirror is as accurate as ever too:

"to allow Kitson the time and space to control and lash home a left-foot shot for his fifth Premiership goal of the season"

I'm sure Kits will be delighted to know he has scored 5 goals in the Prem this season - an excellent return from something like 8 appearances.