Late Ireland strike earns City a point

NEWCASTLE boss Joe Kinnear is confident Shola Ameobi can re–launch his career on Tyneside after seeing him play his part in a thrilling 2–2 draw with Manchester City.

The 27–year–old striker found himself playing as a lone frontman for much of the game following defender Habib Beye’s controversial dismissal for a foul on Robinho.

Ameobi not only made life difficult for Richard Dunne and Tal Ben–Haim but also ended a two–year wait for a Barclays Premier League goal as the Magpies launched another spirited fightback.

His return to form was a personal triumph for interim manager Kinnear, who has taken him under his wing since arriving on Tyneside.

The 61–year–old said: “It’s going to give him massive confidence. It’s a long time since he has actually stuck one away.

“But I believe he has got all the ability to make himself a decent striker. He has got power, pace, strength. He has possibly not been punching his weight in the past, I don’t know really.

“I can only go on what I see, and he has been exceptionally good for me in training. He has sent out all the right messages. He is a hungry fighter.”

The Nigeria–born player fired home from close range with 44 minutes gone to cancel out Robinho’s 14th–minute opener and drag Newcastle back into a game which seemed to have slipped from their grasp.

Beye was distraught to receive a red card for his challenge on the Brazilian, with television replays backing up his claim to have taken the ball first.

But referee Rob Styles, who later agreed to review his decision, was having none of it and the home side seemed doomed.

However, with the crowd responding to the perceived injustice, Kinnear’s men got themselves back on terms and against all the odds took the lead with 64 minutes gone when Dunne sliced Geremi’s corner into his own net.

It took an 86th–minute strike from Stephen Ireland to rescue a point for the visitors, and although he was disappointed not have have marked his first game since his return to the dug–out with a victory, Kinnear was immensely proud of his players ahead of Saturday’s derby trip to Sunderland.