Owen spares Newcastle's blushes

2008-08-27 09:24

England - Michael Owen spared Newcastle's blushes as the England striker's extra-time goal clinched a 3-2 win at Coventry in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.

Owen is still short of match fitness as he returns from the calf injury and bout of mumps that sidelined him for the entire pre-season.

But the former Liverpool star is making up for lost time and underlining his England credentials in the process.

Kevin Keegan's side blew a two-goal lead at the Ricoh Arena after surging ahead in the first half through a Scott Dann own goal and James Milner's speculative effort.

Clinton Morrison gave the Championship outfit a lifeline before half-time and Dann sent the tie into extra time with a last minute equaliser.

But Owen scored the decisive goal after coming on as a substitute against Bolton on Saturday and he repeated the trick here.

Deflected the ball

He came off the bench in the 75th minute and poached the winner seven minutes into the additional period.

Newcastle had taken the lead when Milner crossed and Dann deflected the ball into his own net under pressure from Charles N'Zogbia.

Milner scored the second when his cross deceived Andy Marshall and beat the Coventry keeper at his near post.

However, Coventry refused to accept defeat and Morrison lashed home a fierce shot on the stroke of half-time.

Newcastle defended deeper as the match wore on and Chris Coleman's side made them pay.

Aron Gunnarsson, whose long throws had been a problem all night. And with the contest deep in injury time, sent in another long delivery and Dann leapt highest to power the tie into an extra half hour.

Coventry came desperately close at the end through Robbie Simpson before Elliott Ward's header crashed back off the bar.

But Owen was the match-winner once again as he steered home a low shot from Jose Enrique's pass.

- AFP