Newcastle United against Bolton Wanderers

Milner, who has switched wings, puts in a decent cross which brings a corner. Milner then receives the ball but Michalik blocks his shot six yards out.

LuaLua comes on in place of Damien Duff.

Michalik returns the favour by planting a heavy arm across the back of Ameobi's head.

Matt Taylor comes off and is replaced by Jlloyd Samuel.

Milner wins a corner for Newcastle. Played short but then N'Zogbia gets it across. There are Newcastle players standing offside though and Bolton are safe once more. This is a really rubbish game of football.

A very late tackle from Matt Taylor on his namesake Steven sees a yellow card brandished in his direction.

N'Zogbia's corner does not make it past the first Bolton defender and the visitors are now going to take off McCann for Tamir Cohen.

Michalik is back on the pitch but is welcomed back by Ameobi elbowing him in the face as they challenge for a high ball. It's unintentional but the Bolton players are not happy with the referee's inaction.

Michalik is holding his head after going up for a challenge with Ameobi and has jogged off for some treatment.

Botlon struggle to clear their lines but Milner loses the ball to Gardner who stands firm and wins a free-kick.

Kevin Nolan, limping slightly, makes way for Ivan Campo.

Milner fails to reach a long ball in his direction but he is having some joy down that right hand side and Newcastle seem keen to get him involved in the play.

Another worry for Bolton as Milner's cross ends up dipping over the head of a surprised Jaaskelainen who has to backtrack to palm out the ball. The first on target shot of the game so far. And it was a cross.

Good ball in from Milner which Rozenhal gets his head to eight yards out from the Bolton goal. It's slightly beind him though and he just can't direct the header on target.

Oooh. Most exciting bit of the game so far. Ameobi goes down under a challenge from Gardner and the crowd howl for a penalty. They don't get it though and indeed it was a fine challenge from Gardner. Good build up play prior to that from N'Zogbia.

N'Zogbia shoots this time and aims for the top corner but does not make it.

Another free-kick for the Toon, more central this time but about thirty yards out.

Damien Duff receives the first yellow card for either a tug of Davies shirt or some naughty words to the ref.

Free-kick to Newcastle in a vaguely threatening position. Perhaps too far for N'Zogbia to shoot and indeed he crosses but much to the crowd's disappointment Lubomir Michalik heads it away.

N'Zogbia receives the ball in a central postion and tears off purposefully goalwards. He has a go from about twenty-five yards out but it hits the back of someone's leg when it looked as if it may trouble Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

Milner launches a long one towards Owen who is well shephered by O'Brien. The big defender receives a slight knock from Ower for his troubles but is ok.

Carr fires in a ball acros the face of the Bolton goal. It finds his compatriot Duff on the opposite side before eventually making it's way back to Carr. His shot from the edge of the penalty area is woefully high though.

Davies spins away from Steven Taylor after a clever reverse header but the defender gets back well to thwart the danger.

The players emerge from the tunnel hopefully shamed by the shambolic affair which was the first half. Suitably chastised, let's hope they serve us up some more wholesome fare in this half. Which is underway.

HALF-TIME: Hmmm... Poor. Very poor. An excited home crowd have seen nothing so far to suggest things will be changing any time soon on the pitch despite their messiah's return. Bolton are well on course to spoil the big homecoming party and have looked more likely to seize the initiative. It's a dire game though.

Decent challenge goes in from Enrique on O'Brien and the referee has signalled a minute of extra time which is sixty seconds of mediocrity too many if you ask me.

Good play from Gardner who executes a nice one-two on the move with McCann but Bolton have to settle for a throw-in as he loses the ball.

Kevin Nolan loses posession carelessly but shows great determination to win it back from a dithering Michael Owen. Good tackles and determined play count as highlights in this game so far. There has not been one goalscoring opportunity of any note.

Matt Taylor's high free-kick is headed out by Claudio Cacapa.

Bolton still oook comfortable enough and are defending capably, breaking up Newcastle moves before they really get going. Keegan might want to shake things up a bit with a substitution at half-time. It's not exactly the Newcastle of old a the minute.

Ricardo Gardner plants a high ball in to the Newcastle penalty area but Steven Taylor clears for the home side.

Milner goes on a run and the ball then makes it's way out to Ameobi on the opposite side. Newcastle have another corner. The ball breaks to Ameobi who swings at it but can't make decent contact and Bolton survive. Newcastle are exerting a bit of pressure now and seem to be growing in confidence.

Duff plays it in to Ameobi whose lay-off towards Rozenhal twenty yards out positively screams for a shot from him. He accepts the offer but is way off target.

A lovely inviting curler from N'Zogbia but Kevin Davies wins his aerial battle with Steven Taylor to concede a corner. Alan Wiley blows for a Bolton free-kick when this is taken.

Owen is brought down by Steinsson and Newcastle have a free-kick on the left hand side of the Bolton penalty area.

Good ball over the top of the Bolton defence which Owen seizes on before Duff wins a corner. the corner is taken but from it Rozenhal's shot produces nothing more than a shake of his head as he watches it sail over the bar.

There is a real lack of spark and creativity about the Newcasttle play and their moves are breaking down due to a lack of ideas. Bolton are showing a hunger for the fight which could give them the advantage this evening.

Bolton's new signing Steinsson shows strength and composure to hold off the attentions of the terrier like Damien Duff.

Another corner to Bolton. Short this time (and rehearsed by the looks of it) but the opportunity ends when Taylor's long range effort cannons over the bar.

Carr, Owen and Milner try some intricate passing out on the right but it comes to nothing as Bolton play the ball away.

Kevin Nolan launches a long throw-in in to the Newcastle penalty area but Newcastle deal with it easily enough.

Corner to Newcastle which N'Zogbia takes. It's just over the head of Ameobi though. The ball comes in again from the right and Duff keeps the ball in and uses the space well to force a throw-in.

Duff comes in from the left hand flank but seems unsure of which direction he wants to play it and decides backwards is best.

James Milner is caught late by Taylor and N'Zogbia shapes up to take the free-kick wide on the right. O'Brien gets up to it first to clear with his head.

Newcastle look a bit nervy in the opening exchanges and Bolton seem keen to make amends for their late capitulation to Blackburn last week. They are the ones applying the pressure so far.

Kevin Nolan takes a shot from distance after chesting the ball down and turning smartly. It's just wide of the post though.

Ex-Newcastle Defender Andy O'Brien has a shot which Given saves.

Duff puts it behind for anotber Bolton corner as Steinsson marauded down the right flank.

Gavin McCann, sporting the headband he wore last week, carelessly passes the ball out of play.

Bolton kick off and have themselves a corner already. Taylor makes his first contribution to his new club by taking it and wins another as it is headed behind. The second is cleared by the Newcastle defence.

Lots of handshakes being exchanged amongst the Newcastle bean counters in the posh seats and the scarves are being waved in jubilant anticipation on the terraces. Kevin Keegan salutes his adoring Geordie public and the decibel level goes through the roof. Can his players match the level of expectation coursing through the home crowd?

All eyes will be on Newcastle today though as we get our first glimpse of the new Kevin Keegan regime. Will he take up where he left off? If so case your calculators at the ready.

Keegan has made Michael Owen his captain and partnered him with Shola Ameobi up front. Bolton are without the services of El Hadj Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite who are involved in the African Cup of Nations. New signings Matt Taylor and Gretar Steinsson are thrown straight in to the fray.

Someone is back in toon apparantly and King Kev is sure to receive a rapturous welcome for his first game back in charge of Newcastle this evening. He has plenty of work to do for the rest of this season, but will face sterner tests than that of Bolton who visit St. James Park today.

Another free-kick for the Toon, more central this time but about thirty yards out.

Damien Duff receives the first yellow card for either a tug of Davies shirt or some naughty words to the ref.

Free-kick to Newcastle in a vaguely threatening position. Perhaps too far for N'Zogbia to shoot and indeed he crosses but much to the crowd's disappointment Lubomir Michalik heads it away.

N'Zogbia receives the ball in a central postion and tears off purposefully goalwards. He has a go from about twenty-five yards out but it hits the back of someone's leg when it looked as if it may trouble Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

Milner launches a long one towards Owen who is well shephered by O'Brien. The big defender receives a slight knock from Ower for his troubles but is ok.

Carr fires in a ball acros the face of the Bolton goal. It finds his compatriot Duff on the opposite side before eventually making it's way back to Carr. His shot from the edge of the penalty area is woefully high though.

Davies spins away from Steven Taylor after a clever reverse header but the defender gets back well to thwart the danger.

The players emerge from the tunnel hopefully shamed by the shambolic affair which was the first half. Suitably chastised, let's hope they serve us up some more wholesome fare in this half. Which is underway.

HALF-TIME: Hmmm... Poor. Very poor. An excited home crowd have seen nothing so far to suggest things will be changing any time soon on the pitch despite their messiah's return. Bolton are well on course to spoil the big homecoming party and have looked more likely to seize the initiative. It's a dire game though.

Decent challenge goes in from Enrique on O'Brien and the referee has signalled a minute of extra time which is sixty seconds of mediocrity too many if you ask me.

Good play from Gardner who executes a nice one-two on the move with McCann but Bolton have to settle for a throw-in as he loses the ball.

Kevin Nolan loses posession carelessly but shows great determination to win it back from a dithering Michael Owen. Good tackles and determined play count as highlights in this game so far. There has not been one goalscoring opportunity of any note.

Matt Taylor's high free-kick is headed out by Claudio Cacapa.

Bolton still oook comfortable enough and are defending capably, breaking up Newcastle moves before they really get going. Keegan might want to shake things up a bit with a substitution at half-time. It's not exactly the Newcastle of old a the minute.

Ricardo Gardner plants a high ball in to the Newcastle penalty area but Steven Taylor clears for the home side.

Milner goes on a run and the ball then makes it's way out to Ameobi on the opposite side. Newcastle have another corner. The ball breaks to Ameobi who swings at it but can't make decent contact and Bolton survive. Newcastle are exerting a bit of pressure now and seem to be growing in confidence.

Duff plays it in to Ameobi whose lay-off towards Rozenhal twenty yards out positively screams for a shot from him. He accepts the offer but is way off target.

A lovely inviting curler from N'Zogbia but Kevin Davies wins his aerial battle with Steven Taylor to concede a corner. Alan Wiley blows for a Bolton free-kick when this is taken.

Owen is brought down by Steinsson and Newcastle have a free-kick on the left hand side of the Bolton penalty area.

Good ball over the top of the Bolton defence which Owen seizes on before Duff wins a corner. the corner is taken but from it Rozenhal's shot produces nothing more than a shake of his head as he watches it sail over the bar.

There is a real lack of spark and creativity about the Newcasttle play and their moves are breaking down due to a lack of ideas. Bolton are showing a hunger for the fight which could give them the advantage this evening.

Bolton's new signing Steinsson shows strength and composure to hold off the attentions of the terrier like Damien Duff.

Another corner to Bolton. Short this time (and rehearsed by the looks of it) but the opportunity ends when Taylor's long range effort cannons over the bar.

Carr, Owen and Milner try some intricate passing out on the right but it comes to nothing as Bolton play the ball away.

Kevin Nolan launches a long throw-in in to the Newcastle penalty area but Newcastle deal with it easily enough.

Corner to Newcastle which N'Zogbia takes. It's just over the head of Ameobi though. The ball comes in again from the right and Duff keeps the ball in and uses the space well to force a throw-in.

Duff comes in from the left hand flank but seems unsure of which direction he wants to play it and decides backwards is best.

James Milner is caught late by Taylor and N'Zogbia shapes up to take the free-kick wide on the right. O'Brien gets up to it first to clear with his head.

Newcastle look a bit nervy in the opening exchanges and Bolton seem keen to make amends for their late capitulation to Blackburn last week. They are the ones applying the pressure so far.

Kevin Nolan takes a shot from distance after chesting the ball down and turning smartly. It's just wide of the post though.

Ex-Newcastle Defender Andy O'Brien has a shot which Given saves.

Duff puts it behind for anotber Bolton corner as Steinsson marauded down the right flank.

Gavin McCann, sporting the headband he wore last week, carelessly passes the ball out of play.

Bolton kick off and have themselves a corner already. Taylor makes his first contribution to his new club by taking it and wins another as it is headed behind. The second is cleared by the Newcastle defence.

Lots of handshakes being exchanged amongst the Newcastle bean counters in the posh seats and the scarves are being waved in jubilant anticipation on the terraces. Kevin Keegan salutes his adoring Geordie public and the decibel level goes through the roof. Can his players match the level of expectation coursing through the home crowd?

All eyes will be on Newcastle today though as we get our first glimpse of the new Kevin Keegan regime. Will he take up where he left off? If so case your calculators at the ready.

Keegan has made Michael Owen his captain and partnered him with Shola Ameobi up front. Bolton are without the services of El Hadj Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite who are involved in the African Cup of Nations. New signings Matt Taylor and Gretar Steinsson are thrown straight in to the fray.

Someone is back in toon apparantly and King Kev is sure to receive a rapturous welcome for his first game back in charge of Newcastle this evening. He has plenty of work to do for the rest of this season, but will face sterner tests than that of Bolton who visit St. James Park today.