Huth header denies Magpies

Huth: Late equaliser

Related links

Teams

• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle United

Players

• Michael Owen
• Robert Huth

Also see

• Keegan pleased with showing
• No complaints from Gareth

Robert Huth struck late on to give Middlesbrough a point in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.

Michael Owen's first Premier League goal since October looked to have given The Magpies the win before the late drama.

Owen had a close-range effort harshly ruled out before he finally headed the home side in front from Emre's free-kick on the hour mark.

However, Boro had been the better side in the second half and they equalised in the closing stages through Huth's header.

Jeremie Aliadiere did have the ball in the net in injury-time, although he was adjudged offside after Stewart Downing's free-kick struck the post.

Goal disallowed

There were few chances of note at either end with Aliadiere's scuffed shot on the half-hour the only save Shay Given had to make, with Mark Schwarzer not called upon until injury-time to deal with a similarly mis-hit Alan Smith effort.

However, it might have been so different for Kevin Keegan's men had referee Mike Dean not chalked off Owen's fourth-minute header.

The official blew when the England international had stabbed home the loose ball after Schwarzer had dropped Emre's corner at his feet, although there seemed to be minimal contact between the two men.

Owen had the ball in the net once again in the 20th minute with a back-post header, but Emre's corner had clearly gone out of play.

But on the whole, Newcastle again lacked the creative spark to open up a Boro side who were nothing if not rugged in their approach.

In the second half, Boro pressed on as Steven Taylor had to make a vital block after Aliadiere had taken advantage of Claudio Cacapa's lapse in concentration to pick out Gary O'Neil.

Late drama

Given came to the rescue on 53 minutes to parry Stewart Downing's shot as it bounced nastily in front of him, and collect O'Neil's follow-up at the near post.

However, when the breakthrough finally arrived, it was at the other end as Owen came to life just when he needed to.

Luke Young was penalised for a foul on Charles N'Zogbia wide on the left, and when Emre curled the ball to the near post, the England striker timed his run to perfection to glance a header past Schwarzer.

Had O'Neil retained his composure, the visitors would have been level eight minutes later, but he dragged his effort wide of the far post after turning Cacapa with ease.

Given had to be at his best in the 79th minute when Wheater span and fired in a low drive which he turned away with Cacapa clearing up the rebound.

But there was to be further late drama and Boro were level with three minutes remaining when Huth looped a header over Given from Julio Arca's deep cross.

Keegan's afternoon could have ended in disaster when Downing's injury-time free-kick came back off the post and Aliadiere fired home the rebound, but an offside flag ensured it finished all-square.