Keegan praises Owen

Magpies boss hails striker's goalscoring record

By James Pearson   Last updated: 23rd August 2008

Michael Owen Newcastle United Bolton Wanderers Premier League Football

Owen: Winner off the bench

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Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan was full of praise for match-winner Michael Owen against Bolton.

The Magpies boss has confirmed Owen was only 75 per cent fit before the start of the match after overcoming the mumps and a calf strain over the summer.

However, with Newcastle struggling to break down Bolton, Owen was fit enough to feature off the bench after Obafemi Martins tweaked his groin.

Keegan believes there is a lot more to come from Owen after he netted the winner against Bolton from Geremi's inswinging cross.

More to come

"There's a lot more to come from Owen. He's at his peak at 28. His goalscoring record, he's one in two for us," he told Sky Sports.

"I don't think he needs to prove anything to me or the fans. He was 75 per cent fit today. I looked at the bench and he wanted to come on."

Bolton made life hard for Newcastle and Keegan believes the turning point came when Shay Given saved Kevin Nolan's penalty.

"They made it very difficult for us," he continued. "They're a good side, very well organised. We didn't pass it as well as we could have in the first half.

"They play one way and it's very effective. We put a team out to try and pass it better. It didn't work first half, but we improved in the second half.

Momentum

"Shay's save was like scoring a goal. It gave us some momentum. The cross from Geremi was superb and Michael was fishing around for a goal and he did."

Keegan believes Martins could be out for two to three weeks with the groin strain he picked up shortly after half-time.

"Oba was feeling his groin, so he'll be out for two to three weeks. I just put Smith on there to make the bench look good," he concluded.