HE'S scored plenty of bigger and better goals in his career, but it's a fair bet that few will have given Michael Owen as much pleasure as the one that broke the deadlock tonight.

More than 18 months since he last scored in a black-and-white shirt, Newcastle's £16m man began to put the past behind him as he raced onto Shola Ameobi's through ball and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Heinz Muller.

The goal illuminated an otherwise routine evening in which the Magpies made fairly hard work of seeing off committed but limited opposition.

Reverting to a four-man midfield, United lacked width with both Alan Smith and Charles N'Zogbia cutting in at every available opportunity.

They were solid enough at the back - both Cacapa and Jose Enrique made favourable impressions on their first start - and Shay Given was typically reliable as he returned to the side.

But Newcastle will have to raise their game for the stiffer tests that will lie ahead in this competition.