Ameobi denies Sunderland bragging rights in the derby.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

Newcastle United have now gone eight games without a win and taken just two Premier League points since Christmas but Shola Ameobi's controversial equalising penalty at least ensured that the Toon Army trooped home in a mood of resignation rather than outright rebellion.

From inside St James' Park it seemed as if the Sunderland team bus must have just pulled up outside when a crescendo of boos and abuses penetrated the stadium walls. In reality Mike Ashley had just turned up at the ground for the first time since August and the preamble to Kevin Keegan's dramatic departure. Shortly afterwards Newcastle's owner claimed it was not safe for him to return but yesterday, flanked by a coterie of heavy duty security men he braved it.

With minders in close attendance Ashley reappeared in the directors' box. Refraining from wearing his old replica shirt with 'King Kev' emblazoned on the back, Ashley instead protected himself from the north east chill with an overcoat adorned by a black and white scarf.

He slunk deep in his seat when Djibril Ciss' gave Sunderland the lead after Dean Whitehead had lobbed the ball forward and Fabricio Coloccini idiotically played the scorer onside.

With the rest of Newcastle's defence assuming Ciss' was offside they stopped playing and watched Steve Harper parry the Frenchman's first shot before being beaten by his follow-up from the rebound.

Watched by Tal Ben Haim, apparently close to completing a transfer to Wearside from Manchester City, Sunderland had looked the more menacing and might have been ahead earlier when Kieran Richardson saw his curling free-kick strike a post. Although it fell conveniently for Kenwyne Jones, Kevin Nolan -- initially unimpressive on his Newcastle debut after leaving Bolton for GBP4m on Friday -- cleared off the line from Jones.