Owen comeback marred by defeat

Updated 22.32 Mon Apr 30 2007
Keywords: Premiership, Reading, Newcastle United, Michael Owen, football, sport, Euro 2008

Michael Owen finally made his long-awaited comeback but the England striker's presence could not prevent Newcastle slipping to a 1-0 defeat against Reading.

All eyes were on Owen, who has been out for 10 months since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in last summer's World Cup, but it was Reading marksman Dave Kitson who stole the show.

All eyes were on Owen but it was Reading marksman Dave Kitson who stole the show

Kitson buried Seol Ki-Hyeon's cross in the 50th minute for his second Barclays Premiership goal in an injury-hit season to clinch the Royals' third straight victory.

A cool seventh-minute finish also saw Owen, making only his 11th start for Newcastle since arriving from Real Madrid in August 2005, put the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Magpies boss Glenn Roeder had been able to select the £17million signing just once before tonight - bringing him on as a second-half substitute against Birmingham in April last year.

But Owen completed tonight's match and did not look too far off the pace to soften the blow of yet more injury problems for Roeder.

Antoine Sibierski withdrew shortly into the second half with a suspected broken arm and soon after Emre was stretchered off in considerable pain following what appeared to be an innocuous tackle.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.