Owen on target as Magpies put entertainment on hold

IT WASN'T as awkward as watching a sumo wrestler attempt a pirouette, but it's fair to say Newcastle weren't much more graceful - or as entertaining for that matter - during their home victory over Wigan.

United put on yet another lumbering performance in front of a packed St James' Park arena and the club's replica shirt wearing owner Mike Ashley, and yet they were still able to stretch their unbeaten run to five games - thanks to Michael Owen's late headed winner.

Sam Allardyce, who changed from his tried and trusted 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation, handed Owen his first Premier League start of the season.

Owen may have dismissed the lack of match fitness as rubbish' after the game but he clearly isn't yet firing on all cylinders.

He missed three gilt-edged chances during the contest, which saw him have a seemingly on-side goal chalked off, before finally getting the end of Obafemi Martins' fine cross.

But the England striker wasn't the only profligate waster on view as there were several others.

And the home side really should have put this game to bed well before Owen did three minutes from time to end 10 hours and 47 minutes without a Premier League goal at St James' Park

It took a long time coming, nearly seven months to be precise, but Michael Owen finally ended Newcastle's long goal drought when he powered home Obafemi Martins' inviting cross from the right three minutes from time.

But you can bet the majority of those 50,000 frustrated home fans didn't think it would come after United continued to miss chance after chance after chance and Owen was guiltier than most.

The England striker, who netted his first goal in black and white stripes when he scuffed home against Barnsley in the Carling Cup on Wednesday had a wretched afternoon in front of goal.

Yet he will go home a hero after extending the club's unbeaten league and cup run to five games. To say the former Liverpool and Real Madrid man was a little rusty would be an understatement. Owen wasted three guilt edged chances before he finally netted. They would have been bad misses for any striker never mind a striker of Owen's calibre.

The first, after 17 minutes saw him bearing down on goal in acres of space, but the subsequent shot was tipped around the post by an excellent Chris Kirkland. The second effort, on 28 minutes, saw him lob the ball over the keeper when he had time and space to do better and on the third, midway through the second half he wanted more time than would be needed to turn a tractor in a field. But if a striker is measured on goals then there are not many better.

Two starts and two goals isn't a bad return. The victory, rather than the performance, will have sent Mike Ashley home a happy man.

The club's owner made his Premier League debut in the stands - still sporting his black and white replica shirt. And his entourage seemed to enjoy themselves joining in with the home crowds' chants and songs as the match kicked off.

Owen's strike partner Mark Viduka had an exceptional opening 45 minutes before he went off with a hamstring injury. His first touch and hold up play was superb and he was clearly missed. New boy Claudia Cacapa was impressive and looked everything a Newcastle defender hasn't been in recent years - strong, assured and comfortable on the ball. He was well supported by central defensive partner David Rozehnal, who played with confidence and strolled through the game, as did the improving Charles N'Zogbia.

To be fair Newcastle should have killed the game early against the ten man side who had Kevin Kilbane sent off after less than 32 seconds of the second half for his second bookable offence. Aside from Owen, Nicky Butt had a couple of chances, Shola Ameobi was also guilty of missing a good opportunity as was Stephen Taylor.

Wigan might feel harshly done to. Referee Steve Bennett seemed to give most 50/50 decisions the way of the home side and Kilbane's sending off was a little harsh. Titus Bramble, who played well on his return to Tyneside, was given a good reception from the home crowd, who mischeviously chanted "Bramble for England" and "There's only one Titus Bramble". And Antoine Sibierski was also given a good reception when he made way in a tactical change early in the second period.

Nevertheless, despite making hard work of it against a side who are tipped for relegation United are fifth and still unbeaten.

But while the rest of the side ran as smoothly as a stuttering Hillman Imp without an oil sump there were still several positives to take from the game.

New centre half Claudia Cacapa looked everything a Newcastle defender hasn't been in recent years - strong, assured and comfortable on the ball. Charles N'- Zogbia continued his good form; Mark Viduka was excellent before he was lost to a hamstring injury, while Nicky Butt and Geremi were strong and dependable in the middle.

But on the other hand United were playing against a ten-man Wigan team for virtually all of the second half. The Latics are heavily tipped for relegation, and against better sides Newcastle could struggle given the dearth of creativity in the centre of the park - although this should improve when Joey Barton and Emre are available.

Despite the ungainly nature of United's performances this term, Allardyce has clearly won over the supporters.

It would be fair to say he wouldn't have been the choice of most fans when he was installed as boss. And not just for the reason that others were more attractive options, but because they were not lovers of the style of football employed by his former side Bolton.

The generation of Newcastle supporters from the inauguration of the Premier League have been used to a fast free-flowing game after being fed on a diet of fantasy football by Kevin Keegan's cavaliers or Sir Bobby Robson's charges.

But they aren't the only United fans to have seen a side play with style and flair. Throughout the club's history it is a well-stated fact that the Magpies have always tried to play with a certain swagger and panache.

Allardyce introduced a new buzzword for the Tyneside public to digest - winning football' - when he was installed as the club's new boss. Cynics would say that this is a euphemism for routeone' or ugly football'.

While it would be unfair to suggest Newcastle's style of play is either, after witnessing the opening fixtures of their embryonic campaign but, it is hardly elegant either.

On the other hand it has been effective and because of it, the club remain unbeaten, they occupy a top six spot and have a forthcoming Carling Cup third round tie at Arsenal to look forward to.

But as inept and ungainly as Saturday's victory was, does it really matter to supporters how their club play as long as it is winning?

Probably not.

Not that supporters need reminding, but the last time the club won a major piece of silverware was when a cumbersome United lumped the ball long to striker Wyn Davies during the club's successful 1969 European Fairs Cup campaign.

Maybe now is the time for a change in those total football ideals.

Watch the match highlights from Monday, September 3