A late equaliser from Stephen Ireland broke Newcastle hearts as Manchester City escaped with a 2-2 draw at St.James Park.
Newcastle, playing without influential striker Michael Owen, received an early setback when defender Habib Beye was sent off in the 12th minute for a challenge on Robinho by referee Rob Styles. The former Real Madrid forward coolly converted from 12 yards to give City the lead. Styles was the referee who gave Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo a controversial penalty against Bolton Wanderers in September. Styles admitted to making a mistake in judging J Lloyd Samuel’s challenge, and television replays showed that Beye had a fair case too.
With Beye dismissed, Kinnear switched to a 4-3-2, pushing Geremi to right back, and playing Obafemi Martins in a wide position.
Shola Amoebi scored his first Premiership goal in two years to cancel out Robinho’s opener, steering the ball past Joe Hart after Richard Dunne’s clearance hit an unwilling Damien Duff and fell into his path.
And when Dunne scored an own goal while trying to ward off the threat of Geremi’s corner, Newcastle had completed an incredible turnaround.
Playing with ten players does take its toll on you though, and Newcastle looked tired as the game wore on. Given produced an excellent save to deny Ireland six minutes from time, but Ireland had the last laugh two minutes later as he grabbed the equaliser.
Newcastle showed some spirit, and it augurs well going into their next league game- a derby against Roy Keane’s Sunderland.