Kevin Keegan says Michael Owen is still a force to be reckoned with after he snatched a second-half leveller in Newcastle's draw at Birmingham.The England striker scored his third goal since Keegan's return to the club to earn a precious point in the battle to stay in the Premier League.
Owen's close-range finish cancelled out a first-half effort from Birmingham striker James McFadden making it the fourth time in the past two months City have drawn 1-1 at home with a side in the bottom six.
Keegan said: "If any of you had seen us at Blackburn recently, we could be talking about Michael Owen now having eight or nine goals. In that game, he had four great chances.
"But the one thing you know about Michael is that if you do create opportunities, he will normally stick them away. I'm more surprised if he misses than if he scores.
"He is a world-class player. Some people in this country might be losing a bit of faith but when you look at his statistics, even his record for Newcastle by anyone's standards is excellent.
"Michael has always got the chance to answer his critics on the football field and he is such a strong character that he will do that."
Keegan adopted an adventurous approach as he started with Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins for the first time.
The trio hardly got a look in during the opening 45 minutes but caused all sorts of problems after the break.
Only some fine saves by Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor, who played under Keegan at Fulham, denied Newcastle victory.
Keegan said: "I played three up front. I didn't think we had too much to lose. When we went to Liverpool, we tried to limit them and I couldn't see where we would cause any problems. This time I felt we could cause problems for Birmingham and that was the case.
"I said at half-time, if we lose this game to a goal like that, without showing a bit more creativity, that I've picked the wrong side here.
"The second-half performance was more like what I expected from the team I put out. A lot of people showed the determination and character you need away from home.
"We had the momentum and were unlucky not to get the three points. Maik Taylor made a great save from Michael Owen but I know from having him at Fulham that he is capable of doing that."
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was upbeat despite seeing his side surrender their first-half advantage as they moved two points clear off the bottom three.
He said: "I think Newcastle deserved something for their second-half performance after the first half had belonged to us. We couldn't get the second goal that would have given us some breathing space.
"Newcastle have many influential players and they caused us problems in the second half but we are continuing to pick up points.
"At the end of the season, points like this might be like gold dust and we are difficult to beat at home."
The downside for McLeish was a first-half knee injury to midfielder Sebastian Larsson after a challenge from Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt.
McLeish said: "Seb has suffered medial ligament damage and he will be having a scan on Tuesday. We lost a bit of impetus when he went off and he has been exceptional for us this year."
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