Mediocre Magpies fail in Hull City battle

Chris Hughton went back to his mediocre best by changing the team which had locked horns with Manchester United, bringing in a less than fit Michael Owen into the starting line-up, and playing three central midfielders and only one winger - with disastrous effects.

The Magpies came off lucky to return with a point from the KC Stadium, after a spirited first-half display by the home side, which saw them take the lead within ten minutes when Craig Fagan fed Geovanni, and the Brazilian headed past a hapless Steve Harper.

In a less than stellar response, the Toon equalised from a Steven Taylor shot after some good work down the right flank by Nicky Butt.

The match showcased Jonas Gutierrez's worst performance to date, with lack of pace at the heart of midfield an evident issue with veterans Nicky Butt, and Geremi occupying the positions.

Alan Smith got himself booked in the match, and it was not until Ryan Taylor came on, that the team started to look threatening.

Obafemi Martins had some great chances, but the Nigerian squandered each with deadly precision. Michael Owen was taken off deep into the second-half to make way for Hughton's favourite player- Shola Ameobi.

Dane Peter Lovenkrands, who has two goals in four appearances was completely ignored, as was Damien Duff.

The match ended with the scores 1-1 leaving the hapless Toon in a relegation dogfight.

Teams:

Hull City: Matt Duke, Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Anthony Gardner, Kevin Kilbane, Bernard Mendy (Barmby 80), Kamil Zayatte, Ian Ashbee, Geovanni, Craig Fagan (Garcia 70), Daniel Cousin (Manucho 55).

Subs: Boaz Myhill, Andy Dawson, Peter Halmosi, Richard Garcia, Bryan Hughes, Nick Barmby, Manucho.

Newcastle United: Stephen Harper, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen (Ameobi 73), Sebastien Bassong, Alan Smith (R. Taylor 75), Jonas Gutierrez, Geremi, Nicky Butt, Steven Taylor.

Subs: Fraser Forster, Damien Duff, Ryan Taylor, Shola Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands, David Edgar, Andy Carroll.

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