A Michael Owen hat-trick proved too much for Newcastle this afternoon as the Magpies fell to another away day defeat.

Owen gave early warning of his danger after just two minutes, racing on to an Emile Heskey through ball only for Shay Given to save well with his legs.

But on 25 minutes a long ball by Markus Babbel saw the England centre-forward break free off Nikos Dabizas and he cooly slotted home from the edge of the box.

The second half began with Newcastle fired up and putting the home side under sustained pressure.

Their best effort came when Kevin Gallacher broke free on the lfet and his cross was deflected to Nolberto Solano but his header was acrobatically cleared off the line by Stephane Henchoz.

With Newcastle pressing for an equaliser, Owen's pace proved their downfall, first breaking free from a Patrick Berger ball he lifted over Given for his second and then latching on to a superb cross-field ball from sub Robbie Fowler to cooly slot home for his hat-trick.

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