Newcastle 1-1 Portsmouth

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Portsmouth held Newcastle at St James' Park despite surrendering most of the possession and an early goal.

Lee Bowyer put Newcastle ahead in only the third minute when he rifled an exquisite half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.

But on the half hour, Steve Stone equalised with a shot that took a wicked deflection off Steven Taylor.

Newcastle pushed on for a winner after the interval but an at-times panicky Pompey defence held out for a point.

Newcastle strike pair Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert were both out injured, so Shola Ameobi partnered Craig Bellamy up front.

The visitors attack was spearheaded by Lomana LuaLua, who was making his first return to Newcastle since he acrimoniously left the club.

But it was midfielder Bowyer who provided the first goal threat, and he wasted no time in ending his wait for his first Premiership goal of the season.

Taylor burst forward from right-back to feed Bowyer, who lashed a right-foot shot from 20 yards into Jamie Ashdown's top left corner.

A shaken Portsmouth sensibly spent the next few minutes regaining their composure and set plenty of men behind the ball.

And after a quarter-of-an-hour, they had recovered sufficiently to pour forward, Ricardo Fuller forcing his way into the box only to blast his shot at Aaron Hughes.

Newcastle should have doubled their advantage when Bellamy robbed Andy Griffin on halfway and sprinted towards goal.

He crossed the ball to an unmarked Keiron Dyer in the box, but the England midfielder scooped his shot over the bar.

Newcastle were made to pay for that miss soon after.

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Bowyer did well to clear Dejan Stefanovic's header off the line, but Gary O'Neil squared for Stone, whose shot cannoned off Taylor's chest and into the net.

After the interval, a well-organised Pompey defence continued to keep their opponents at bay.

For the most part, Newcastle were resigned to long-range efforts as their frustration grew.

Substitute Laurent Robert came close, but his shot was tipped round the post by Ashdown before Dyer smashed another effort over the bar.

In between, LuaLua tried an overhead kick which Shay Given proved equal.

As the game wore on, the visitors had chances to snatch an away win.

The best opportunity fell to O'Neill, but he directed his header wide.

At the other end, Ameobi could have nodded a winner, but he was wayward.

Jermaine Jenas was off target with an acrobatic volley deep into injury time as time ran out for Graeme Souness' side.

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Newcastle: Given, Taylor, Hughes, Bramble, Bernard, Jenas, Dyer, Bowyer (Ambrose 71), Milner (Robert 57), Bellamy, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Andrew O'Brien, Harper.

Booked: Taylor.

Goals: Bowyer 3.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Griffin, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Primus, Stone, Faye, O'Neil, Berger, LuaLua (Cisse 87), Fuller (Taylor 84).
Subs Not Used: Hislop, Berkovic, Hughes. Booked: Stone, Griffin.

Goals: Stone 30.

Att: 51,480

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).