Newcastle united

Newcastle 3-1 Bolton
Newcastle extended their unbeaten run under the stewardship of Glenn Roeder to six games with victory over Bolton. Emre hit the Bolton woodwork before Kevin Davies' volley struck the Newcastle post via Robbie Elliott. Nolberto Solano's curling free-kick put Newcastle ahead before Jussi Jaaskelainen palmed Alan Shearer's looping header into his own net. Shola Ameobi then scored after Bolton failed to clear a corner before Kevin Davies converted Radhi Jaidi's header. Since Roeder took temporary charge of Newcastle a once porous defence has conceded just two goals in six Premiership matches - Davies' strike the first in more than six hours of football. The former West Ham manager must increasingly be considered as a candidate to succeed Graeme Souness on a permanent basis. Newcastle, with Shearer back after a three-game absence, won a series of early corners but it was Bolton who threatened first, Jaidi and Gary Speed both heading wide from inviting positions. Bolton had to make a change after 15 minutes when Jay-Jay Okocha limped off to be replaced by Hidetoshi Nakata. And the visiting team almost found themselves a goal down before the Japan international had an opportunity to exert any influence on the game. The ball dropped invitingly to Emre, who showed great technique with a left-foot strike from 20 yards that cannoned off the woodwork. Bolton then struck the Newcastle post, the deflection off Elliott leaving Given stranded after Speed had cushioned a header into Davies' path. Ameobi should have put Newcastle ahead but completely missed the ball after a neat pull-back from the impressive Charles N'Zogbia. But Ameobi's embarrassment was soon forgotten when Solano's free-kick eluded Jussi Jaaskelainen. Newcastle took the game further beyond Bolton just before the break, thanks in part to Jaaskelainen's moment of suspect goalkeeping. More efficient approach work culminated in N'Zogbia's deep cross to Shearer. Jaaskelainen dived to save the veteran striker's header, which may have been going wide, but succeeded only in palming the ball into his own net. If Bolton manager Sam Allardyce - himself linked with the Newcastle position - was looking for a response after the break it was slow in coming. Newcastle started the half by winning a series of corners, while Scott Parker time and again snuffed out Bolton attacks in their infancy. Shearer came close to a second with a vicious strike that was deflected over the crossbar. Bolton twice failed to clear the subsequent corner and Ameobi eventually controlled an attempted shot from Emre before thrashing the ball past Jaaskelainen. Davies scored from a matter of inches, stabbing home Jaidi's header, for his first goal in 16 games. Bolton rallied, with Richard Vaz Te, on for Nakata, volleying wide and Davies also missing the target. Kevin Nolan had the ball in the Newcastle goal but the strike was ruled out for handball. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder: "It is a terrific run and one the players are well capable of making. There is no reason for it to come to an end. "We have got players to come back and the ones in there at the moment are doing fantastically well. "I do not think any of our victories have been lucky, all were hard earned." Bolton manager Sam Allardyce: "From our point of view we were poor. We have not really made Shay Given make too many saves. "Defensively we were not at our best and that has cost us. "I know Newcastle have improved but we still had opportunities to defend correctly. "Our goalkeeper could have saved the first two and we didn't do anything special until we were 2-0 down." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Elliott, Boumsong, Babayaro, Solano, Parker, Emre (Bowyer 82), N'Zogbia, Shearer, Ameobi (Luque 83). Subs Not Used: Harper, Faye, Clark. Booked: Shearer, Luque. Goals: Solano 34, Shearer 45, Ameobi 70. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, N'Gotty (Pedersen 45), Jaidi, Gardner, Faye, Okocha (Nakata 17), Speed, Nolan, Davies, Giannakopoulos, Nakata (Vaz Te 75). Subs Not Used: Walker, Ben Haim. Booked: Davies. Goals: Davies 72. Att: 52,012 Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Owen foot injury fears dismissed
Newcastle have dismissed reports that record £17m signing Michael Owen has suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken foot. Owen, 26, reportedly missed training to consult the surgeon who operated on the metatarsal injury suffered in January. Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder told Newcastle's website: "To suggest Michael's had a setback is ridiculous. "Michael had a scan on Monday as part of his programme and there was nothing of any concern on it." Newcastle have put no date on Owen's return from the injury he sustained at Tottenham on New Year's Day. Roeder added: "It was nothing out of the ordinary that Michael missed a couple of days training, his surgeon is based in Manchester. "In modern football with all the technology we have, Michael's programme was mapped out right back from the time of his injury. "Part of that programme includes periodical scans and X-rays to make sure everything is progressing as it should be. "We accurately assess what stage players are at during their rehabilitation and Michael is where we thought he should be at this stage of his recovery."

Man Utd 2-0 Newcastle
Wayne Rooney's early double powered Manchester United to a one-sided win over Newcastle to tighten their grip on the Premiership's second place. He intercepted Peter Ramage's backpass to delicately chip over a helpless Shay Given in the eighth minute. Four minutes later he held off Ramage to slot home from John O'Shea's pass. Newcastle improved in the second half but Rooney missed a great chance for his hat-trick, hitting the post after rounding keeper Given. Manchester United again opted to leave Ruud van Nistelrooy's goal threat on the bench but it made little difference as they roared into a two-goal lead. Rooney was gift-wrapped the first when he read Ramage's backpass and exquisitely chipped Given from the corner of the penalty area. The England striker doubled the score when O'Shea swapped passes neatly with Louis Saha and fed a ball into the inside-left channel for Rooney to plant in his shot from 18 yards. Newcastle reeled under the early Manchester United onslaught and were relieved when Saha sprinted clear of a square back line - only to pull his shot wide of the target. The home side had a catalogue of chances, with the luckless Ramage slicing a clearance across the face of his goal where Saha volleyed just wide, while Rooney fired inches over for what would have been a seven-minute hat-trick. Newcastle were unable to get any sort of foothold in midfield and as Manchester United turned on the exhibition stuff, Magpies caretaker-boss Glenn Roeder saw all the confidence built up in a six-match unbeaten run evaporate. It was two minutes before half-time when Newcastle lifted the siege but their first meaningful effort at goal was when Scott Parker's attempted lob sailed wide. Roeder bolstered his midfield with Lee Bowyer and Newcastle at last got a grip on the game but it was a temporary state of affairs as Rooney laid the ball into Cristiano Ronaldo's path and it needed a great save from Given to deny him. Rooney proved he is human as he missed a golden chance for his hat-trick. Sprinting clear he rounded Given but, with the goal at his mercy, he struck the post. It was an improved second half from Newcastle, which went some way to restoring confidence, but Manchester United carried the goal threat and, after Given denied Ji-Sung Park, Saha powered a header over and van Nistelrooy shot wide from 12 yards. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre (Evra 45), Ronaldo (van Nistelrooy 75), O'Shea, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Saha. Subs Not Used: Howard, Vidic, Rossi. Goals: Rooney 8, 12. Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott, Babayaro, Solano (Dyer 65), Parker, Emre, N'Zogbia (Luque 81), Ameobi (Bowyer 45), Shearer. Subs Not Used: Harper, Clark. Booked: Ramage. Att: 67,858 Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).

Owen dismisses Gerrard Reds plea
Newcastle United's former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has played down a plea from Reds captain Steven Gerrard for him to 'come home' to Anfield. Gerrard feels Owen, a £17m signing from Real Madrid in August 2005, would solve his side's goalscoring problems. Owen said: "It is nice of Steven to say what he thinks of me, but someone else makes those decisions. "I am happy here, as I have always said. I made a decision last summer to come here and have loved every minute." He added: "Stevie has said they need a striker, or that they need to score more goals. "He's a good friend of mine, so I'd expect him to say 'Michael Owen is a good player' because I would say the same about him." Owen has not played this year because of a broken foot and admits he has been frustrated by his long lay-off. "Thankfully when I have played, we have managed to get some points and I have managed to get some goals," he told his club's website. "I'd be feeling pretty awful if that hadn't been the case and I'd played nine or 10 games and nothing had happened when I had played. "That's the only softening of the blow. But the rest of it is not. I'm disappointed that I haven't played as much, but it will not be long until I will be playing again. "Hopefully, it's only a short period of time and I'll be back out there in the black and white."

Newcastle v Liverpool
Newcastle defenders Titus Bramble and Craig Moore could be included after both recovered from hamstring problems. Stephen Carr is back in training after hernia surgery but will not be ready, while Michael Owen (foot) and Steven Taylor (shoulder) are still missing. Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso will return after a one-match ban and Sami Hyypia is back after making a full recovery from his hamstring injury. John Arne Riise (calf) is doubtful so Stephen Warnock may play at left-back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Ramage, Babayaro, Boumsong, Bramble, Moore, Elliott, Parker, Emre, Solano, N'Zogbia, Bowyer, Faye, Clark, Brittain, Pattison, O'Brien, Shearer, Ameobi, Luque, Chopra. Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Warnock, Traore, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Hamann, Alonso, Kewell, Crouch, Cisse, Morientes, Fowler, Kromkamp, Dudek.

Newcastle 1-3 Liverpool
Peter Crouch was the star of the show as Liverpool won at 10-man Newcastle. Crouch played a part in Liverpool's two first-half goals, scoring with a downward header and then setting up Steven Gerrard, who drilled home. Newcastle pulled a goal back before the break through Shola Ameobi's header, but Jean-Alain Boumsong's 51st-minute red-card ended their fightback. Boumsong was sent off after giving away a penalty for a foul on Crouch, with Djibril Cisse converting the spot-kick. Boumsong has had an inconsistent season and looked distraught as trudged round the pitch to the tunnel after his dismissal. Referee Mike Riley brandished the red card when Boumsong wrestled Crouch to the ground after the Frenchman miskicked horribly. Crouch had been deployed as a lone striker, with Harry Kewell and Cisse playing either side of the England international. The system gave Liverpool plenty of attacking fluency and it did not take long for them to get into their goalscoring stride. Gerrard fed the ball into the path of Jan Kromkamp, the Dutchman cleverly chipping the ball towards Crouch. The Liverpool forward muscled his way between Peter Ramage and Boumsong before heading downwards past Shay Given. Newcastle had struggled to get into the game before Crouch's goal, and it took them a further 10 minutes to seriously threaten the Liverpool goal. Shearer and Charles N'Zogbia tried their luck with speculative shots, the latter's effort momentarily spilled by Jose Reina. That was to prove N'Zogbia's last contribution in the game as he soon limped off with an injury to be replaced by Lee Bowyer. Just past the half-hour mark, Liverpool went two goals ahead following a devastating counter-attack. Cisse sent over a cross to Gerrard, who, after playing a neat one-two with Crouch, fired the ball into the corner with a diagonal shot. Ameobi revived Newcastle hopes when he escaped the shackles of Sami Hyypia to flight a header past Reina from Scott Parker's cross two minutes before the interval. But having edged their way back into the game, Newcastle's hopes of salvaging of a point were all but extinguished by Boumsong's dismissal and Cisse's penalty early in the second half. Cisse was yellow-carded for his over-exuberant goal celebration and the Frenchman was spoken to again when he goaded the Newcastle fans for a second time. Having failed to endear himself to the St James' Park crowd, Cisse then proceeded to upset Kewell by selfishly shooting rather passing to the Australian. Late on, Given made two spectacular saves, diving to tip away goalbound shots from Xabi Alonso and Kromkamp. The win means Liverpool are two points behind Manchester United, though they have played two games more. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder: "What you won't get me to do is criticise Jean-Alain Boumsong publicly. "I was a player once and any manager or coach who criticised me after a bad mistake wasn't a good manager. "I will sit down with Boumsong and go through the goals and share my view of where he could have done better." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez: "It's crazy. You can't play in a cup competition like the FA Cup after two days with the same players. "The thing I don't understand is you must play with your strongest team, but my strongest team will all be tired. "We've got two important games in two days and we need to manage the squad, but we played well and scored goals." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott, Babayaro, Solano, Parker, Emre (Clark 90), N'Zogbia (Bowyer 28), Shearer, Ameobi (Dyer 62). Subs Not Used: Harper, Moore. Sent Off: Boumsong (51). Booked: Ramage, Bowyer. Goals: Ameobi 41. Liverpool: Reina, Agger, Hyypia (Fowler 90), Carragher, Warnock, Kromkamp, Hamann, Gerrard (Alonso 74), Kewell, Cisse, Crouch (Luis Garcia 63). Subs Not Used: Dudek, Traore. Booked: Cisse, Agger, Carragher. Goals: Crouch 10, Gerrard 35, Cisse 52 pen. Att: 52,302 Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Cisse sorry for Newcastle gesture
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has apologised if he caused offence after celebrating scoring at Newcastle. Cisse pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a message to his family, and appeared to gesture to Newcastle fans who had been taunting him. "I didn't intend to be rude," Cisse told Liverpool's website. "I was just really happy to score a goal. "I respect the Newcastle supporters. If they thought I was being disrespectful to them, then I apologise for that." Cisse scored from the penalty spot after Jean-Alain Boumsong was dismissed for a foul on Peter Crouch. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has already stated that he did not view Cisse's celebrations as a "serious" incident. "I told him during the game to calm down and at the end we also talked," said Benitez. "The message on his shirt was for his young son and his family. He hopes it is not a problem. I do not think there will be any further action." Cisse had not scored for 15 games since netting in the 3-1 win at Everton on 28 December. "Like all the strikers at the club, I have been desperate to find the net again and when the penalty went in, I was absolutely delighted," added Cisse. "But, if my celebrations appeared disrespectful, that certainly was not my intention."

Everton warn Newcastle off Moyes
Everton have warned Newcastle off making an approach for manager David Moyes to take over at St James' Park. Moyes is at the centre of widespread speculation that he will be approached to permanently succeed Graeme Souness. But an Everton spokesman told Sir Stanley: "We have had no approach from Newcastle for David Moyes nor would we welcome or encourage any." Moyes has guided Everton into contention for a Uefa Cup place after a poor start to the season. Souness was sacked by the Magpies in February, with Glenn Roeder taking charge of first-team affairs until the end of the season. Martin O'Neill is understood to be chairman Freddy Shepherd's first choice for the job, but Moyes has emerged as a surprise potential candidate. Moyes, however, signed a five-year contract last season. He only recently paid tribute to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright for his loyalty when the club went out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage and the Uefa first round. Kenwright insisted there was never any doubt about Moyes' future, despite more struggles over Christmas. He told the Sir Stanley: "This is the guy who is helping us get back where we belong. Life is about highs and lows and there are going to be lows. "There was never any question about whether he was the guy to get us back and going again. It was when rather than if."

Moyes link to Newcastle dismissed
Everton and Newcastle have rejected speculation that David Moyes may take over as boss at St James' Park. Goodison chairman Bill Kenwright and Newcastle counterpart Freddy Shepherd joined forces to confirm there would be no move from the Tyneside club. Kenwright insisted the claims were "fabrication and total nonsense." And Shepherd said: "I have phoned Bill Kenwright to say Newcastle have not approached David Moyes, and will not approach David Moyes." Moyes was at the centre of widespread speculation that he will be approached to permanently succeed Graeme Souness. But an Everton spokesman told Sir Stanley: "We have had no approach from Newcastle for David Moyes nor would we welcome or encourage any." Moyes has guided Everton into contention for a Uefa Cup place after a poor start to the season. Souness was sacked by the Magpies in February, with Glenn Roeder taking charge of first-team affairs until the end of the season. Martin O'Neill is understood to be chairman Freddy Shepherd's first choice for the job, but Moyes was touted as a surprise contender. Moyes signed a five-year contract at Everton only last season. He only recently paid tribute to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright for his loyalty when the club went out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage and the Uefa first round. Kenwright insisted there was never any doubt about Moyes' future, despite more struggles over Christmas. He told the Sir Stanley: "This is the guy who is helping us get back where we belong. Life is about highs and lows and there are going to be lows. "There was never any question about whether he was the guy to get us back and going again. It was when rather than if."

Owen 'to return in three weeks'
Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder believes Michael Owen will return from his broken foot injury in three weeks. The England striker, 26, has been sidelined since breaking his metatarsal bone in December and was considered a doubt for the World Cup in the summer. But Roeder told Sir Stanley: "Michael is still injured along with Kieron Dyer and Steven Carr. "But I'm very positive that within the next three weeks everyone will be back for the last month of the season." Midfielder Dyer has been out of action with a hamstring injury since February while Irish full-back Carr has a groin problem. Newcastle had previously dismissed reports that record £17m signing Owen had suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken foot. Owen reportedly missed training early in March to consult the surgeon who operated on the metatarsal injury suffered in January. Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder then told Newcastle's website: "To suggest Michael's had a setback is ridiculous. "Michael had a scan on Monday as part of his programme and there was nothing of any concern on it." Roeder added: "It was nothing out of the ordinary that Michael missed a couple of days training, his surgeon is based in Manchester. "In modern football with all the technology we have, Michael's programme was mapped out right back from the time of his injury.

Chelsea v Newcastle
Chelsea will be without the suspended William Gallas following his sending-off against Fulham on Sunday. Winger Arjen Robben will also be sitting out his third match of the four-game ban he received for his red card against West Brom. Newcastle's Jean-Alain Boumsong is suspended as well while Titus Bramble is forced to sit out with a hamstring problem he has nursed for a fortnight. Stephen Carr is available after a two-month battle with a hernia injury. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Ferreira, Johnson, Terry, Huth, Carvalho, Del Horno, Makelele, Lampard, Essien, Geremi, Maniche, Gudjohnsen, J Cole, Duff, Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Crespo. Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Ramage, Babayaro, Moore, Elliott, Parker, Emre, Solano, N'Zogbia, Bowyer, Faye, Clark, Brittain, O'Brien, Carr, Shearer, Ameobi, Chopra, Dyer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien: "We will miss William a lot. He is one of our key players but we have others who can replace him. "It would be very special for the club to win this double. It's very importnat for the fans that we can do it. "We haven't done this double before and I hope we can do it this year." Newcastle caretaker manager Glenn Roeder: "Not winning the Champions League seems to have his him (Mourinho) hard and, obviously, it's the second year running now. "It seems to have really irritated him and the players. "Because of that, I'm sure they will double their concentration for the FA Cup because the League is already won."

Shearer fumes at Wright-Phillips
Alan Shearer has accused Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips of diving to get Robbie Elliott sent off in Newcastle's 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge. Elliott received a second yellow card for his last-minute challenge on Wright-Phillips as the Magpies bowed out of the competition on Wednesday. And Shearer said: "It was a blatant dive. There was absolutely no contact and I thought that at the time. "I have seen it again on a replay and it was definitely the case." Magpies caretaker manager Glenn Roeder also felt that Wright-Phillips went to ground too easily. Roeder said: "Wright-Phillips took the ball past Robbie Elliott, who immediately turned his body sideways to let him go. "He is an experienced defender - but Wright-Phillips knows he has beaten him and he is on the ground. "Wright-Phillips made no attempt to run past him. I'm disappointed with the young man." Shearer was booked for arguing over the decision, which overshadowed his last game in the FA Cup. The competition was his last chance for silverware with the Magpies because he is set to retire at the end of the season. Roeder added: "Alan set his heart on getting into the last four but conceding an early goal to the Premiership champions disappointed us. "For Alan to lose the game 1-0 and not even have an opportunity to take them back for a replay at St James' Park has to be a disappointment. "But he won't want any sympathy. Alan is not a sympathy man, just look at his career and look at his life. "He will shake himself down, pick himself up and work hard towards his retirement before he comes back into the game in football management. "I don't know whether that will be in one year's time or six or seven years but Alan can still win the FA Cup one day. Why not? "When he comes back into management, I am sure it will only be at this club and this club has the capability to win it even though the last time they did it I was not born." Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho refused to speak to the media after the game.

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