Wednesday evening's clash of the have and have-nots ended with all three points predictably remaining at the CoM Stadium, even if the margin of City's victory was smaller than many had envisaged.

The inevitable debut goal from Craig Bellamy ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides, with the travelling support enjoying a rare moment of pleasure when Andy Carroll netted a close range consolation.

But while the Welsh striker and his new fans enjoyed the moment, the returning Mike Ashley had far more to worry about than taunting ex-Mags and Manc mockery - even if the fans of his own club didn't turn against him tonight. The shirt-sleeved United owner took his place in the Main Stand next to Derek Llambias (sensibly attired in coat and Toon scarf) but doubtless ended up hot under the collar as United proceeded to quite literally put their foot in it.

First Michael Owen limped off within twenty minutes of the first whistle after appearing to do no more than make a slightly awkward landing after challenging for the ball - although he had been the victim of a strong tackle from behind by Nigel de Jong in the early stages.

Joey Barton was then was forced from the field to a mixed response from his former fans (cheers among the boos) after a similarly innocuous-looking passage of play.

An ankle injury of unknown severity afflicted Owen, while Barton seemed only too aware that he'd broken another bone in his foot - sending his discarded boot sailing down the player's tunnel in frustration after he exited. Already lacking the services of the allegedly-injured want -away duo of Given and N'Zogbia, our squad selection was already at crisis point, with unknown academy players making up the numbers on the bench. 

JFK resisted the temptation to recall Alan Smith after one comeback game the previous evening, but had another injury scare when Sebastien Bassong took a heavy knock. He continued after treatment though, but another yellow card for Jonas Gutierrez now sees him sit out the visit to West Brom on Saturday week, while Steven Taylor moved to within a booking of his own one-match ban.

The absence through injury and suspension of Danny Guthrie and Nicky Butt forced Kinnear to recall Geremi to the midfield and deploy Coloccini in front of the back four.

Things looked to be going as predicted when City went ahead after 17 minutes and within two minutes Owen had departed, leaving Andy Carroll to plough a lone furrow up front until a second half re-org saw some belated help from new boy Lovenkrands.

The remainder of the first half was short on action and excitement at either end though, as mediocrity across the field led to indifference from both sets of supporters. Shay Given wasn't present, but on the evidence of this disjointed display from City, his desire to exit SJP is greater than a wish to move here for "football reasons."

It took until just before the hour mark for either side to create another opportunity worthy of the name, when Barton and Geremi combined down the right for Duff to get to the byline and send over a well -weighted cross.

Steven Taylor made it to the ball but looked to have been dragged back from behind by Micah Richards. Penalty claims were waved away, but later TV replays showed the incident to be immeasurably more deserving of an award than the one given against Edgar in our last away game. 

Duff then cut into the box from the United left to latch on to Enrique's through ball, but inexplicably elected to try a pass rather than shoot, Bridge intercepting the attempted ball to Lovenkrands.

Enter Bellamy, who stoked himself up with his own hopeful claim for a spot kick after Bassong leant into him and within minutes had a second goal in successive games against Newcastle - for different clubs.

The visitors threatened to make a game of it with nine minutes left when Carroll converted, but despite five minutes of added time Newcastle were unable to emulate City's escape act at SJP and find another goal to make it 2-2.

The defeat mean that we've failed to win any of our last seven outings in league or cup and have managed just two wins in twelve Premier League games. Occupying sixteenth spot, results on Saturday could see us drop into the bottom three ahead of Sunday's game.

By the time the transfer window closes on Monday evening, the picture will be a lot clearer in terms of arrivals, departures, non-combatants and the level of misery on Tyneside following Sunday's games.

Rather than witter on as usual, we'll just leave it at that - and wait and see like everyone else.