Source: Team_Talk
Shola strikes to shoot down Owls
The 27-year-old scored for the fourth time in five days after his hat-trick against Reading to put his club level on points with leaders Cardiff and second-placed Middlesbrough and marginally behind on goal difference.[LNB]Ameobi struck in front of a crowd of 43,904 after just 15 minutes, although Newcastle were unable to find a second goal and it took good saves by Steve Harper from former Sunderland full-back Michael Gray and substitute Francis Jeffers to ensure all three points stayed on Tyneside.[LNB]It was the first time Sheffield Wednesday had been to St James' Park since their ill-fated visit in September 1999, when Sir Bobby Robson's first home game as Magpies manager ended in a thumping 8-0 victory over the Owls.[LNB]But much has changed at St James' Park during the intervening decade and all that mattered tonight was a win however it came.[LNB]Hughton handed loan signing Danny Simpson a debut at right-back as Ryan Taylor moved into midfield to replace the injured Joey Barton.[LNB]Kevin Nolan whistled a 25-yard drive just wide with little more than 20 seconds on the clock as Newcastle made a lively start.[LNB]It was they who took the lead with 15 minutes gone when Andy Carroll helped on Harper's clearance and Ameobi controlled before half-volleying superbly inside keeper Lee Grant's left post.[LNB]Grant did keep out Ameobi's 28th-minute header from a Ryan Taylor corner, and although Owls striker Jermaine Johnson repeatedly caused problems for Fabricio Coloccini - he set up James O'Connor for a shot which Nolan had to block four minutes before the break - the home side largely held sway before the break.[LNB]Ryan Taylor almost wrapped up the win within seven minutes of the restart when, after Sean McAllister had been penalised for a foul on Jonas Gutierrez 25 yards out, he forced Grant into a fine save with a curling free-kick.[LNB]Nolan blasted a long-range effort just over after the visitors failed to clear the resulting corner, and it seemed only a matter of time before the home side extended their lead.[LNB]But Wednesday rallied as the game passed the hour mark and Harper was called upon to make his first save of the game from Gray's 64th-minute free-kick.[LNB]Ryan Taylor could not hit the target after being set up by substitute Xisco and Ameobi 20 minutes from time.[LNB]But Harper had to dive bravely at Jeffers' feet with four minutes remaining after full-back Tommy Spurr had played the striker in behind the home defence.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
