Newcastle United 3 Everton 2

Last updated : 07 October 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Michael Owen came off the bench to head Newcastle United to another three points in a five-goal thriller - just nine days after climbing off the operating table.

It was just the news England boss Steve McClaren was waiting to hear on the eve of the crucial European Championship double-header with Estonia and Russia .

This was an incredible finish with three goals in the final four minutes and no fewer than three substitutes on the scoresheet.

And it was a Newcastle win inspired by Turkey international Emre, who in his last outing against the Goodison Park outfit found himself charged with racially aggravated language - a charge that was eventually not proven.

Emre and Owen went on after 74 minutes for Obafemi Martins and James Milner respectively and changed the whole outlook of the game which was standing 1-1 at the time.

Emre scored a stunning goal to put Newcastle back in front after Nicky Butt's first-half lead had been cancelled out by substitute Andy Johnson with his first goal since March

Emre then set up Owen to head Newcastle into a 3-1 lead, before Shay Given palmed the ball into his own net to make it a grandstand finish.

Newcastle should have gone ahead as early as the fourth minute when Alan Smith cleverly put Martins in the clear in the inside-left position, but as has so often been seen from the Nigerian, his finishing was woeful and he fired well wide of Tim Howard's far post.

Butt, booked on 20 minutes for a foul on Steven Pienaar, broke the deadlock three minutes before the break with the most delicate of finishes for his first goal of the season.

An excellent move ended with a Smith shot that the overworked Joleon Lescott only hacked as far as Butt, who controlled, looked up and delightfully lobbed Howard.

It looked like being more good news for McClaren when Johnson replaced James McFadden and the little striker was on hand to turn in a left wing cross from Leighton Baines only for him to later withdraw from the England team with an ankle injury.

Smith was booked on the hour mark and that will rule him out of United's next game at home to Spurs.

Everton then pulled the strings and only a last gasp challenge from Claudia Cacapa prevented Victor Anichebe from putting Everton in front.

Sam Allardyce then pulled his masterstroke with that double switch.

And it was Emre who latched on to a clearance from 25 yards to hit an unstoppable shot beyond Howard.

The home fans were still celebrating when Emre expertly picked out Owen with a precise free-kick and his header beyond Howard was to perfection.

Everton refused to throw in the towel and, within just 20 seconds of the four minutes added on, Mikel Arteta's ball from the left deflected off Smith and Given only managed to push it into his own net.