Owen injury overshadows draw

12 April 2012

Michael Owen suffered a new injury scare during Newcastle's 1-1 draw at Watford when he was carried off during the second half with mild concussion after colliding with team-mate Matthew Pattison in front of watching England boss Steve McClaren.

Making only his third appearance of the season after returning from the knee ligament injury he sustained at last summer's World Cup, Owen suffered what appeared to be a head injury after running into Pattison's shoulder.

Relegated Watford earned a point thanks to Marlon King's 52nd-minute penalty after Kieron Dyer had given Newcastle a first-half lead, but it was Owen's departure in the 67th minute which was the talking point of the game.

Watford midfielder Douglas Rinaldi should have done better than shoot wildly over the bar from 15 yards in the third minute and it took Newcastle almost 29 minutes to manage a shot on target - but, crucially, they took the lead with their first effort.

A fine reverse pass from Nolberto Solano was not cut out by the sliding Al Bangura, allowing Dyer to burst into the penalty area and slot the ball home off the body of Ben Foster from 10 yards for his seventh goal of the season.

But Watford began the second half brightly, and Adrian Boothroyd's team equalised in the 52nd minute.

Much to Newcastle's disgust, referee Rob Styles awarded Watford a penalty when Adrian Mariappa's right-wing cross struck Nicky Butt on the hand, and the former Manchester United midfielder was booked for protesting.

To add insult to injury, King confidently sent Shay Given the wrong way from the spot for his fourth goal of an injury-hit season.

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