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Moyes blueprint could be the way ahead for Keegan
GIVEN what David Moyes has achieved on a limited budget at Everton, Kevin Keegan could be forgiven for asking his managerial counterpart at Goodison Park for a few pointers yesterday.
If talks between Mike Ashley and Keegan were as 'productive' as reports suggest, then the Newcastle United boss has seemingly accepted any big money additions will be out of the question this summer.
Twelve years after Keegan paid a British record £15m for Alan Shearer, Ashley is preparing to do things a little differently at St James' Park - and the Magpies manager is reportedly prepared to go along with it.
Ashley is concerned that, after years of big money signings, the club's long-awaited search for silverware appears no nearer fruition.
And rather than go down the Chelsea route of buying their way to the top, Ashley is keen to take a leaf out of Arsenal's book and scour the world for talent.
It's not the news Newcastle fans will have been hoping for as United brought down their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 defeat.
But for the heroics of goalkeeper Steve Harper, Newcastle could have been going into the summer break on the back of a much heavier loss as Everton dominated.
Former Middlesbrough striker Yakubu proved their nemesis with two goals - Joleon Lescott scoring in between.
Ashley's new way of thinking could also see Michael Owen on his way out of St James' Park. The England striker was yesterday linked with a £7m move to Manchester United.
Owen is one of the many big name signings who have failed to deliver in a black and white shirt and a bid in that region could prove too tempting for Ashley to turn down.
It would represent a substantial financial loss, but with just 40 Newcastle appearances to his name, the Tynesiders have hardly got their worth out of a player who cost £16m. Ashley has done the maths and £1.7m a goal is not good business.
Ashley's sensible thinking can be admired, and it's understandable, but it also represents a huge gamble and United fans can only hope the club has the resources to sniff out the world's best young talent.
Closer to home, Newcastle's youth academy is another area that could save Ashley vast sums, as neighbours Middlesbrough have proved.
One player who cost the Tynesiders nothing, Andy Carroll, was handed his first Premier League start of the season and it was the youngster who tested Tim Howard early on with a low drive.
Moments later former Boro man Yakubu dragged an effort wide as both sides started brightly in the Merseyside heat.
Steve Harper was called on for the first time in the 23rd minute, saving at his near post after Manuel Fernandes got the better of Spanish full-back Jose Enrique.
But there was little Harper could do five minutes later when Yakubu broke the deadlock. After Damien Duff was booked for holding Steven Pienaar back, the Everton winger produced a wonderful cross for Yakubu to head home his 20th of the season.
The Nigerian, who left Teesside in an £11.25m move at the start of the season, was then denied a second goal shortly after when Lescott was ruled offside after heading on for the striker.
Newcastle were fortunate not to fall further behind as Everton laid siege on Harper's goal.
The Newcastle keeper was forced to fist away Fernandes' effort and then his blushes were spared when he let Victor Anichebe's shot spill through his hands, trickling inches wide.
Joseph Yobo then headed over Phil Neville's cross before Harper was again forced into action to save from Leon Osman.
But just 35 seconds into the second half Newcastle were level through Owen. Charles N'Zogbia, Newcastle's most dangerous player, caused panic in the Everton box and Yobo was left with no option but to leave his leg in on the Frenchman, who duly went to ground.
Owen stepped up and Howard was left kicking himself as the less than convincing spot kick slipped under the former Manchester United goalkeeper.
Everton responded through Fernandes, whose teasing free-kick was brilliantly tipped over by Harper as thunder and lightning replaced the Liverpool sunshine.
However, Harper was beaten for a second time as Everton regained the lead through Lescott. Lee Carsley rolled the ball to Fernandes with a quickly taken free-kick and the midfielder dinked the ball to the back post as Habib Beye was caught in no-man's land and Lescott was on hand to side foot home.
It would been three as Yakubu fed in Anichebe but the forward was denied by another wonderful save by Harper. Yakubu wrapped up the points, scoring from the spot after Steven Taylor brought down Osman.
Everton may have spent considerably less than Newcastle in recent years, but with European football to look forward to next season, they have proved that an open cheque book does not always guarantee success - as Magpies fans know all too well.
Perhaps Ashley's blueprint for the future is not as gloomy as many fear.
5:37pm Sunday 11th May 2008
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