Sam Tactical Brilliance Gains Praise From Ex-England Star!

Last updated : 08 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Merson: "In the second half they (Newcastle) never really got out of the blocks.

"Andy Johnson scored to make it 1-1 and the crowd started to get on their backs but Sam Allardyce, as every good manager does, made two changes.

"He put Emre and Owen on and Emre scores a goal and then puts the ball in for Owen. I think Sam will be pleased with the result, if not the performance.

"What Owen did was unreal. The lad's just a born finisher: he's up there with Robbie Fowler when it comes to finishing.

"It's just unbelievable. He's had an operation what seemed like 10 minutes ago but he's back on the pitch and back scoring goals. It's a great story.

"It was a typical Owen goal as well. The ball came in from the left from Emre and he was stood six yards out and you wonder how he gets the space, but his awareness and movement meant there he was to head in off the bar from four yards."