Bolton side almost spoiled Keegan’s first home game of the season, just like they did on their last visit, when they get the penalty reward after Taylor deliberately handled the ball inside the danger zone.
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Newcastle United once again had to thank Shay Given for his worldclass penalty save today to give us another promising match. It took his double act of parrying low to his right first to denied Kevin Nolan’s penalty before steer the ball away with his feet.
In the match where the “winning” team starter at OT last Sunday saw the rapturous welcome from the Toon Army today meet the well organised Bolton side. The first-half saw a rather dull performance in terms of goals result just because the over-crowded midfield, with Trotters parked their players in midfield to denied any movements from our side.
Credits to former Toon player Andy O’Brien and his Bolton partner Gary Cahill who held firmly at the backyard to block some shots from Obafemi Martins, James Milner and Damien Duff.
In the second period, KK has to make double change, first to replace Damien Duff who look like having a knock in the first-half and make way for Geremi’s first game of the season.
Then the 52 minutes, Oba Martins injured his groin after dives to head Geremi’s excellent low cross goalwards minutes earlier. He was being replaced by Toon skipper Michael Owen who make his way into the game with the Toon Army gives him a warm welcome.
The game changed dramatically after the arrival of Owen on our side, and he needs no longer time to repaid Keegan’s faith.
Just two minutes after Nolan miss the penalty, Milner’s strike from Toon’s free-kick hits the Bolton’s wall, but managed to make a rebound to Michael Owen who is unmarked at the far post. Owen leaps a header but the Finnish keeper is spotted well to parry the effort.
But not in the 71 minutes. N’Zogbia’s corner kick can only half cleared, Geremi quickly retrieves the ball before picks out Owen to makes no mistake to heads the ball beyond the despairing dive of Jaaskelainen.
Newcastle United:
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N’Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins (Owen 53), Duff (Geremi 46).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Edgar.
Booked: Taylor.
Bolton:
Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O’Brien, Samuel, Joey O’Brien (Mustapha 85), Nolan, Muamba, Taylor (Gardner 65), Davies, Elmander (McCann 15).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Dzemaili, Shittu.
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
Att: 47,711