Kevin Keegan recall Shola Ameobi to pairing with Michael Owen in United attack to replace the calf injury hit Mark Viduka. United bench is full of the academy graduates as Newcastle is missing seven first team players today.
Owen is wearing the captain armband in the absence of Geremi’s on duty for his country and Alan Smith being suspended for his red card against Manchester United last weekend.
As predicted, St. James’ Park is packed with the Geordies faithful who is keep yelling “Keegan, Keegan”. The game start with the Trotters attacking and win the first corner early. United claim the ball and launch the attack through Milner who finds Ameobi away down the left.
Michalik tracking the striker and concedes a throw. Carr takes the ball and works it to N’Zogbia who tries his luck with a 30-yard shot.
United almost get caught under the first 20 minutes when Roz losing the ball in midfield with four Bolton players inside the Magpies area, thanks God, Joey O’Brien’s through ball towards is way too heavy for Kevin Davies. Keegan should take a note on this often sloppy display from United defence recently.
Newcastle has a scream of penalty in 32 minutes. Corner kick from N’Zogbia swings in, and the ball almost falls to the feet of Owen, then Ameobi. The ball bounced and seems to get a touch from one of Bolton player, but Alan Wiley sees the incident as ball to hand.
Hal time end-up in all square with a surprisingly rare decent chances from both side.
TEAMS LINE UP:
Newcastle United FC:
Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Jose Enrique, Steven Taylor, Claudio Cacapa, David Rozehnal, James Milner, Charles N’Zogbia, Damien Duff, Shola Ameobi, Michael Owen (c)
Subs: Steve Harper, James Troisi, David Edgar, Andy Carroll, Kazenga LuaLua
Bolton Wanderers FC:
Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Nolan (c), Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Davies, Gretar Steinsson, Danny Guthrie, Gavin McCann, Joey O’Brien, Lubomir Michalik, Andy O’Brien, Matt Taylor
Subs: Ali Al Habsi, Jlloyd Samuel, Stelios, Ivan Campo, Tamir Cohen
Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: tbc