Kitson steals show as Michael's return is ruined by Reading

14 April 2012

Reading, unfazed as they are by the glamour of the Premiership, were never likely to put their feet up and watch the Michael Owen comeback special.

The striker was back in action for the first time since last summer's World Cup Finals, starting his first Newcastle game since 2005 and completing an unexpected 90 minutes — but Dave Kitson spoiled the return.

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Danger man Dave: Reading striker Kitson beats Sibierski to the ball to volley the winning goal

Kitson drove the winner past Steve Harper in the 51st minute, his first League goal since the opening day of the season, to keep Steve Coppell's side on course for the UEFA Cup.

It was also a reminder to Glenn Roeder that Owen, even if he does prove better than ever in front of goal, is not going to cure his team's defensive sloppiness.

Roeder's future is uncertain after Sam Allardyce's decision to make his services available by walking away from Bolton but Owen's return was a boost for the manager and the fans on Tyneside who live in a state of constant hope that better times are ahead.

It was 314 days since Owen had collapsed in agony in Cologne, two minutes into the World Cup group game against Sweden.

An innocent twist on England's left flank had a devastating impact on his right knee.

The anterior cruciate ligament had been ruptured and the cartilage damaged. The expert skills of Richard Steadman were required to rebuild the joint.

"No 10 Michael Owen" received a hearty cheer from both sets of fans when the teams were announced at the Madejski Stadium, where England No 2 Terry Venables looked on with interest.

Thirty-five seconds into the game and Owen made a burst back into his own half to steal a bouncing ball from Brynjar Gunnarsson.

He started impressively and moments later was in more familiar territory in the penalty area, stretching a boot at Emre's left-wing cross, unaware the flag was up for offside.

Each of his team-mates wanted to give him a pass and he put the ball in the net in the seventh minute, collecting a pass from Obafemi Martins and sliding a low shot into the corner — only to be offside again.

This was Owen's 12th club appearance in 20 months since his £16million move from Real Madrid and it is easy to understand the frustration of Freddy Shepherd — at loggerheads with the FA over compensation money and the terms of his striker's release for next month's qualifier in Estonia.

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Lion tamer: Kingsley the lion, Reading's mascot, is asked to move by referee Mike Riley

Shepherd must wonder how many more points his team might have had with Owen at the spearhead, but all clubs can point to misfortune. Reading have played much of the season without Kitson, injured on the opening day.

Understandably, Owen started to run out of gas. Newcastle faded with him and Reading took control.

Kevin Doyle saw a shot deflected wide and Michael Duberry ballooned a good chance over from the corner which followed.

Coppell had opted to leave out Steve Sidwell, expected to join Newcastle when his contract expires next month, and his regular midfield partner James Harper, who was on the bench.

The fans who sing about a European tour must wonder if their manager shares their enthusiasm for continental travel.

Kitson pounced soon after the interval when Seol Ki-Hyeon's cross from the right was dummied by John Oster and allowed to bounce through to Kitson at the far post. The Reading striker made no mistake from 10 yards.

Newcastle's task was made harder when Antoine Sibierski broke an arm and Emre was carried off with an ankle injury after a challenge from Kitson.

The injuries forced Roeder to keep Owen on in search of a goal but it was Reading who ought to have extended their lead.

Kitson went close again after a sloppy pass from Kieron Dyer left his defence exposed, Seol sent a screamer wide and Reading seemed to have a good shout for a penalty ignored when Nolberto Solano appeared to wrestle Doyle away from a cross.

James Milner, the pick of Newcastle's team, launched a late rally with a curling a shot which drifted wide.

Then Martins missed the target with a header and Dyer squandered a last chance to level. Newcastle's only bright spot was Owen's return.

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann; De La Cruz, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Seol, Gunnarsson (Harper 89), Hunt, Oster (Bikey 90); Doyle, Kitson (Long 89).

Booked: Hunt, Kitson.

Scorer: Kitson 51.

NEWCASTLE (4-3-1-2): Harper; Solano, Taylor, Bramble, Carr; Dyer, Emre (N'Zogbia 61), Milner; Sibierski (Ameobi 54); Owen, Martins.

Man of the match: Kevin Doyle.

Referee: Mike Riley.

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