Charles N'Zogbia is the hero at the other end as he prevents Matt Jansen's goalbound header from crossing the line.

Shefki Kuqi goes up with Shay Given and can only head the ball up and over the bar.

Craig Bellamy goes down in the box under challenge from Jean-Alain Boumsong but the ref rightly waves play on.

Another Morten Gamst Pedersen corner finds Zurab Khizanishvili but his effort is poor after an initial mis-control.

Kerimoglu Tugay goes close for Blackburn when he lashes an effort just over the bar from Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner.

Vratislav Gresko attempts a shot on goal which is blocked and put out of play by Stephen Carr.

Shefki Kuqi gets a chance to immediately bring Blackburn back into the game but he lashes his shot high and wide.

Brad Friedel comes out to tackle Michael Owen on the edge of the box as the striker homes in on goal again after a defence-splitting pass.

Craig Bellamy goes past Steven Taylor down the right and the Newcastle man grabs a piece of his shirt and is lucky not to get a second booking.

The game is beginning to show some signs of improving as Newcastle race to the opposite end to win another corner but again the actual ball is wasted.

Steven Reid gets on the end of the resultant corner and his effort from 20 yards is just wide.

Craig Bellamy's header across the six-yard box is put out of play by Celestine Babayaro just as Steven Reid was waiting to pounce.

Morten Gamst Pedersen and Stephen Carr collide and require a few moments of treatment before play can carry on.

Newcastle get their first corner of the game with Michael Owen's ball into the area put out of play but the kick is cleared by Blackburn.

Robbie Savage's 30-yard effort from the resultant free-kick is no problem for Shay Given.

Craig Bellamy's ball into the area is left by Celestine Babayaro and Steven Reid's effort on goal is saved by Shay Given.

Alan Shearer flicks on towards Michael Owen but Zurab Khizanishvili is on hand to break up the attack.

Jean-Alain Boumsong and Lee Bowyer combine after Steven Reid tried to find David Bentley in the area.

Steven Taylor is forced to knock the ball out for a corner after Craig Bellamy did well down the right and put a dangerous centre into the area.

Blackburn are imposing some pressure on Newcastle at the moment with a good move ending in David Bentley's half volley going just wide of the post.

From the resultant free-kick Shay Given does very well to deny Robbie Savage's shot in the best chance of the game so far.

Steven Reid is lucky to escape a booking after he appeared to elbow Celestine Babayaro when challenging for the ball.

There is no flow to the game and the quality on offer is poor so far with Michael Owen having the only chance earlier on.

Morten Gamst Pedersen attempts a free-kick from a significant distance which clears Shay Given's crossbar.

Morten Gamst Pedersen tries to find one of his forward men but Celestine Babayaro clears the danger.

Not many chances of note in the first quarter of this game which has been dominated by the midfielders of both sides.

Newcastle try and make a raid down the left flank through Celestine Babayaro but Robbie Savage and Lucas Neill combine to block the danger.

David Bentley attempts a shot from distance but fails to give Shay Given any cause for concern.

Newcastle try and cause problems by putting a long throw-in into the Blackburn penalty area but the referee Mike Riley blows for a foul.

Craig Bellamy is being jeered by the Newcastle away following every time he gets near the ball.

A flowing Newcastle move puts Michael Owen in on goal but the England striker disappointingly for him and his new club scuffs his effort across the face of the goal.

Stephen Carr cuts out David Bentley's cross and Morten Gamst Pedersen's follow up is also blocked.