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Owen fit after Watford injury

May 13th, 2007

Michael Owen was given the all clear after being carried off on a stretcher during Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw away to Watford on the final day of the Premiership season here Sunday.

The England striker collided with the shoulder of team-mate Matthew Pattison and was taken off in the 67th minute at Vicarage Road. However, caretaker United boss Nigel Pearson said of Owen: “I saw him in the medical room after the game. He was chatting, and there is no problem at all. “He has mild concussion, but it is nothing too serious and he is fine.”

The 27-year-old injury-plagued forward, a 17 million pounds signing, was playing just his 14th senior game for Newcastle since his 2005 transfer from Real Madrid. The score was level at 1-1 at the time of the incident, with Marlon King’s 52nd minute penalty providing Watford’s equaliser after Kieron Dyer had given Newcastle a 29th minute lead. Watford’s point was not enough to prevent the already relegated side finishing bottom of the table, the Hornets six points adrift of Charlton who also went down along with Sheffield United.

With nothing riding on the game for either side Newcastle, who completed the season in 13th place, went ahead just before the half-hour mark with the first shot of the match. England midfielder Dyer was the grateful recipient of Nolberto Solano’s precise through ball and slotted home despite Watford keeper Ben Foster, playing his last match for the Hornets after impressing during a spell on loan from champions Manchester United, getting a touch. Watford fought back and it needed defender Steven Taylor’s brave block to deny Will Hoskins following Douglas Rinaldi’s cross.

But they did equalise early in the second half when former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt was ruled to have handled after Adrian Mariappa’s cross struck his arm at close range. Following Butt’s protests, King held his nerve to beat Shay Given from the penalty spot. Then came Owen’s unlucky injury. The striker, returning from a long lay-off with a knee problem, accidentally careered into Pattison’s shoulder and had to leave the field.

Watford’s Lee Williams almost ensured the Hornets signed off with a win in front of their own fams when his spectacular volley late on went inches wide with Given beaten. Sam Allardyce, the former Bolton boss, has been widely tipped to succeed Glenn Roeder as Newcastle manager.

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Entry Filed under: English Football,Sports News & Results