CC: 29.08 Newcastle 2 Barnsley 0

[kennethlindheim]

Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi are due to start up front for Newcastle United's Carling Cup tie with Barnsley.

Sam Allardyce is looking for a sustained run in the competition and will welcome No.1 striker Owen back into the starting line-up.

Owen has only featured as a substitute for the club so far this season, but is due to partner Ameobi in attack.

That will give Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins a break, although injuries are also forcing Allardyce's hand.

Shay Given, Joey Barton and Damien Duff remain sidelined, while the defence picked up two injuries in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough.

Stephen Carr and Peter Ramage were both forced off at The Riverside and will be missing for the visit of Barnsley.

Recent signing Claudio Cacapa will get his first start for Newcastle at centre-half, while Spanish full-back Jose Enrique is due to make his debut.

Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu is also in contention to make his first appearance of the season as The Magpies aim to avoid an upset.

Simon Davey insists his Barnsley side are heading up to St James' Park with a gameplan to win the second round tie.

The Championship club will be without new signing Stephen Foster, who played against Grimsby Town for Burnley in the first round.

Loan signing Anderson is also not eligible to play, while Istvan Ferenczi, Kayode Odejayi and Andy Johnson are carrying knocks.

Sky Sports | Football | Match Preview | Newcastle v Barnsley - 29th August 2007

[Trim]

Should be an easy win.

[Trim]

Newcastle won 2-0, goals from Owen and Oba Martins.

[kennethlindheim]

Michael Owen ended his 20-month wait for a Newcastle goal as the Magpies secured a 2-0 win over stubborn Barnsley.

The England striker struck 12 minutes after the break to score for his club for first time since 2005.

The £17million man then made way for Obafemi Martins seven minutes from time, who promptly wrapped up the victory three minutes later on 84 minutes with a well taken volley.

The win was Newcastle's first of the season at St James' Park and also preserves their unbeaten start.

However, It was far from comfortable for long periods as manager Sam Allardyce decided to use the full extent of his squad for the game.

Claudio Cacapa and Jose Enrique started for the first time at the back and despite seeing the visitors enjoy plenty of possession, they and their defensive colleagues were rarely under extreme pressure before the break.

Keeper Shay Given had only one save of any significance to make on his return from injury, but it was a vital one from a 38th minute Dominik Werling's free-kick.

Newcastle, though displayed a lack of cutting edge up front with Owen partnering Shola Ameobi.

Owen did get in on 15 minutes from Charles N'Zogbia's pass, but although he escaped the attentions of Werling, he was under pressure when he shot and directed his effort straight at keeper Heinz Muller.

Nolberto Solano and N'Zogbia both saw long-range efforts deflected wide and the Frenchman also forced a good save from Muller three minutes before the break.

Owen and Ameobi both had shouts for penalties in the dying seconds of the half, but their appeals were more in hope than expectation.

Newcastle increased their tempo in the second half and Emre was replaced by Nicky Butt to add steel in central midfield after 52 minutes.

Geremi forced a smart save from Muller with a curling 56th minute shot, but it was Owen who finally broke the deadlock a minute later.

Ameobi picked out his strike partner with a perfect pass and Owen stabbed home just his second goal at St James' Park to the delight of the home crowd.

N'Zogbia saw another pile-driver blocked as the Magpies looked to kill the game off, but they were served with a timely reminder that the game was far from over at the other end when Rob Kozluk's speculative cross came back off the post.

Butt and Ameobi both threatened Muller's goal again as Newcastle looked to cement the victory.

However, it was Martins who killed the game with his third goal of the season after replacing Owen.

Sky Sports | Football | Match Report | Newcastle v Barnsley - 29th August 2007

I haven't seen the game, but I understand that Cacapa, N'Zogbia and Owen were the best players last night. Emre got injured again and Enrique had a comfortable debut.