There cannot have been more sober aspects to the average Geordie Christmas than this. After a magical six-goal demolition of Tottenham in midweek, a subdued crowd had to settle for a return to normality in a tactically shrewd contest which was given lustre by the superior goal-poaching skills of Liverpool's Michael Owen.

Two for Owen, both clinically dispatched, provided further indications that the troubled period of England's brightest young player is behind him: another goal for Newcastle's Alan Shearer kept his self-esteem high. It was all designed to delight the England coach Kevin Keegan, although watching Owen and Shearer prosper on opposite sides does little to prove whether they can ever succeed together.

Newcastle's 12th-minute lead owed more to what Shearer failed to do than what he did. Nolberto Solano's free-kick from the left barely brushed Shearer's head, but his presence was enough to transfix Sander Westerveld and Liverpool's goal was breached at the far post.

There is a solidity of purpose about Liverpool now which made them a different proposition to the Spurs side whose collapse had quickened Bobby Robson's contractual discussions.

For his equaliser, Owen receiving the ball from Titi Camara on the right of the area, swayed unchallenged between Aaron Hughes and Alessandro Pistone and tucked his shot wide of Steve Harper.

Pistone's embarrassment was such that for several seconds he took an exaggerated interest in an imaginary speck on the end of his nose. He still failed to get a sniff of Danny Murphy, who nutmegged him minutes later but shot at Harper.

These days Liverpool have exacting defensive standards. Westerveld shoved Jamie Carragher in the back in disgust at one mix-up, although that was nothing compared to the shoulder charge he received from Duncan Ferguson which left him needing treatment.

Fortunes swung against Newcastle after half-time. Gary Speed missed with a header and when Kieron Dyer limped off with a groin injury, Liverpool went ahead before the substitution was made. An error from Nikos Dabizas set Owen clear and his composed finish was immaculate as he slid the ball between Harper and post.

"Owen took his goals brilliantly but he was given them both," said Robson. Owen was let in sloppily again, only for Murphy's header to lack power, but Newcastle finished much the stronger as they drew strength from Ferguson's equaliser. He stooped low and his direction was accurate enough to beat Westerveld at his far post.

Newcastle: Harper, Barton, Hughes, Dabizas, Pistone, Solano (Gallacher 73), Lee, Speed, Dyer (Glass 53), Ferguson (Ketsbaia 90), Shearer. Subs Not Used: Given, Marcelino. Goals: Shearer 12, Ferguson 67.

Liverpool: Westerveld, Song, Carragher, Hyypia, Matteo, Gerrard, Hamann, Murphy (Fowler 82), Berger, Camara (Heggem 69), Owen. Subs Not Used: Friedel, Staunton, Traore. Goals: Owen 31, 52.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).