MICHAEL Owen made an instant impact on his return to action today at St James's Park after scoring the goal that won all three points for Newcastle United against Bolton.
Owen pounced with 19 minutes left against the Trotters but United had to first survive a penalty scare with Shay Given proving to be the other hero on the day for the Magpies who remain unbeaten.
Keegan fielded the same team that picked up a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford as the Magpies looked to build on their good start.
United were roared on before kick off by opera singer Graeme Danby with a wonderful rendition of the Blaydon Races but the game failed to match his thunderous performance early on.
Yet KK was able to name Michael Owen on the bench after a summer of torment for the England striker which included him suffering mumps and calf problems.
Both sides started the game cautiously but on six minutes Martins tried to stab a left wing cross at goal only for the ball to bounce off Joey O'Brien and out for a corner.
On 13 minutes a collision between Shay Given and Johan Elander resulted in the Bolton striker being replaced by former England midfielder Gavin McCann - who was given the usual welcome for an ex-Sunderland man at St James's Park.
That tightened up Bolton's midfield even more with their suffocating tactics preventing United getting any real rhythm to their game.
And when Newcastle made a rare counter attack after Martins had slipped in Jonas he was quickly upended by Joey O'Brien just outside the centre circle.
The midfielder was booked for his trouble and a free-kick was handed to the black and whites but Bolton sustained the pressure.
Eight minutes before the break Bolton enjoyed a rare glimpse of goal when Steven Taylor's defensive clearance only went as far as Jloyd Samuel but the left-back could only curl it high over the ball.
But United were indebted to Steven Taylor a minute later when he bravely cleared Fabrice Muamba's curling effort from just outside the box.
KK made a change at the start of the second period with Geremi replacing Damien Duff.
Five minutes into the second half Habib Beye ventured forward to cross from the right for Martins but the Nigerian failed to make the right connection with the goal gaping in front of him at the Leazes End.
The lack of cutting edge resulted in Keegan replacing the former Inter Milan man seconds later when Owen was handed a slice of the action with Nicky Butt handing him the captain's armband after his arrival.
But United were soon in trouble as Steven Taylor handled a Gretar Steinsson cross from the right two minutes before the hour.
However, Kevin Nolan was denied as Given threw himself to his left at Gallowgate and blocked the Scouser's spot-kick before recovering to hook the ball away with his feet.
With 20 minutes to go Samuel sent Milner tumbling 25 yards from goal but Geremi's effort was deflected over the top for a flag kick.
N'Zogbia curled the ball in but Bolton cleared it again but Jonas picked up the loose ball to feed Geremi.
The Cameroon international then delivered a crisp ball from the right into the six yard box for Owen who leapt high to head home the opener in his first game of the season and make it 1-0 to United on 71 minutes.
Newcastle then missed a great chance to seal it five minutes after the goal when Beye's right wing cross was headed over by Milner.
UNITED: Given, Beye, N'Zogbia, S Taylor, Coloccini, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Duff (Geremi 46), Martins (Owen 51).
BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Nolan, Cahill, Muamba, M Taylor (Gardner 65), J O'Brien (Riga 85), Elmander (McCann 15), Davies, Steinsson, A O'Brien.
Ref: Steve Bennett (Oprington)
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