A late equaliser from Stephen Ireland broke Newcastle hearts as Manchester City escaped with a 2-2 draw at St.James Park.
Newcastle, playing without influential striker Michael Owen, received an early setback when defender Habib Beye was sent off in the 12th minute for a challenge on Robinho by referee Rob Styles. The former Real Madrid forward coolly converted from 12 yards to give City the lead. Styles was the referee who gave Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo a controversial penalty against Bolton Wanderers in September. Styles admitted to making a mistake in judging J Lloyd Samuel’s challenge, and television replays showed that Beye had a fair case too.