Birthday boy salvages Magpies point

Andy Carroll celebrated his birthday in style at St James’ Park as the Newcastle striker secured a point for the Magpies in an entertaining 2-2 draw with West Ham.

The former trainee, who turned 20 on Tuesday, marked his second Premier League start with his first Newcastle goal after the Hammers had come from behind to lead with just 12 minutes to play.

Michael Owen had fired the Magpies into a first half lead before goals from Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole put Gianfranco Zola’s team in control.

Manchester City targets Bellamy and Scott Parker both started against their former club despite renewed speculation that the duo are heading to Eastlands before the current transfer window closes.

United manager Joe Kinnear opted against recalling unsettled France Under 21 international Charles N’Zogbia with the former Le Havre youth player agitating for a move away from St James’s Park.

The versatile left-footer is reportedly a January target for Tottenham Hostpur and Arsenal although Newcastle insist they have received no bids for one of the club’s most talented youngsters.

Another player yet to spark interest among potential buyers is the England international forward Owen. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid player has pledged his immediate future to St James’s Park and yet, with his current deal running out in the summer, there is little to keep the experienced goalscorer on Tyneside.

Little, that is, apart from the resolve of the Newcastle manager, Joe Kinnear and within 13 minutes Owen demonstrated just why his coach cannot contemplate the remainder of the league campaign without his leading scorer.

Only the woodwork denied United’s prize asset an opening goal as he slipped past the West Ham defender James Collins and angled a left-footed drive against the far post.

It was a warning the Hammers failed to heed and six minutes later Owen was celebrating his 10th goal of the season. Jose Enrique prodded a short pass into the striker’s path and again Collins was left for dead by his opponent’s surprising turn of pace.

On this occasion Owen’s right foot proved far more destructive as a low drive evaded Robert Green’s grasp and nestled inside the post.

West Ham’s swift response was equally impressive with Parker and Bellamy combining to restore parity. For Newcastle’s fans the equaliser proved a painful reminder of potential never quite fulfilled.

Parker’s probing pass picked out the bustling Bellamy and the Wales international served up a deft left-footed chip over the advancing Shay Given in front of the Gallowgate hordes who once chanted his name.

Looking fitter and feistier than ever it is little wonder the West Ham striker is being courted by his former manager Mark Hughes.

And within a minute of the restart Bellamy was centre stage again as he took an elbow in the face from the French defender Sebastien Bassong inside the Newcastle goalmouth. What appeared to be a certain penalty was ignored by the referee, Alan Wiley, much to the amazement of Hammers boss Zola, but within minutes the visitors were ahead.

A hopeful ball forward by the full back Herita Ilunga caught the Magpies’ defence cold and the forward Cole had the time and space to fire home a left footed volley in off Given’s near post.

N’Zogbia replaced the Cameroon international Geremi 28 minutes from time but his appearance was roundly booed by the increasingly frustrated home fans.

Jeers turned to cheers in the 78th minute as Carroll, who turned 20 on Tuesday, headed home following fine work on the left from Ireland winger Damien Duff.