Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has been under pressure to turn around the Magpies disappointing start, which had left them eighth from bottom of the Premiership, and this fourth win from 11 games will be welcomed.

Two pieces of news concerned Newcastle in midweek, and both could be said to have led to Owen's opener moments after the restart.

French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia, whom the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled could stay at the club after an appeal by his former side Le Havre, combined with Shola Ameobi in the 46th minute and the Frenchman sent in a probing cross for Owen from wide on the left flank.

Owen perfectly timed his run to the near post and prodded the ball home with the outside of his right foot to leave goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak clutching at thin air.

Shearer came on to replace Ameobi and barely 10 minutes later Newcastle had doubled their lead.

Shearer found Kieron Dyer on the right and the England midfielder raced to the byline before cutting the ball back to Owen at the near post where a first time prod sent the ball high past Kuszczak.

Shearer grabbed a goal of his own 10 minutes from time after Dyer had started a move which left Owen with the ball in midfield.

The England striker released Peter Ramage after the defender's great run down the right and when his cross was heading across goal Shearer pounced to divert it past Kuszczak from close range.