Mido ruins big day for Newcastle's new owner

Ashley arrived yesterday suited and booted for his first Newcastle game since splashing out more than £180million to appease the bank manager, gain ownership of the club and buy some new players.

And then, after greeting Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson for the first time, Ashley sought permission from one of the friendlier faces on the Premier League's circuit to wear his Newcastle shirt in the directors' box. There have been more subtle disguises.

Sitting just two seats away from manager Sam Allardyce, and with his solicitor and chairman Chris Mort close by, the burly businessman wore a black and white No 17 shirt with the name Smith on the back to take in an entertaining and full-blooded Tees-Tyne derby.

Why Smith? No one from Newcastle seemed quite sure, but like the father who buys his son an expensive train set for Christmas only to play with it himself, having funded the takeover, Ashley can choose whichever shirt he likes.

And clearly as the sportswear tycoon splashed out £6m of his own money to sign the England international from Manchester United, he rather likes Alan Smith.

"It was great to see him," said Allardyce. "And he certainly hasn't tried to hide away with that shirt on, has he?"

Allardyce may need further support from Ashley this week, with Stephen Carr (hamstring) and Peter Ramage (knee) joining the injury list. The Newcastle boss said: "We may have to be ferocious in the market. I'm impatient and I want things to be done quicker."

It was not the day for Smith, who turned down Middlesbrough to join Newcastle, and it was Charles N'Zogbia who was responsible for Ashley momentarily forgetting himself in the presence of his hosts, 28,875 people and a TV audience.

When the young Frenchman gathered a pass from Smith, there appeared to be little danger, which could explain the lethargy George Boateng and Jeremie Aliadiere showed trying to track him down.

But they paid for their hesitancy when N'Zogbia raced in-field, put the ball on his weaker right foot and then straight over Mark Schwarzer's outstretched arm and into his top corner.

"It was the goal of the weekend," said Allardyce.

It took Middlesbrough just five minutes to equalise, with Mido scoring his second in two games since quitting Spurs. Gibson may not wear his shirt, but he will like the Egyptian striker.

Fabio Rochemback was recalled alongside Julio Arca to add even more guile to the former Sunderland midfielder's craft. Arca, a former-Mackem in a land of Smoggies and Geordies, had an outstanding game and deservedly finished it with a brilliant late equaliser.

But it was Rochemback who conjured both equalisers, lofting elevated passes with the sand wedge in his right boot.

His first through-ball left Steven Taylor scrapping with Mido for a bouncing ball and as the young defender fell to ground, the striker touched the ball past him and Steve Harper and then flicked it with the outside of his left foot into an empty net.

His celebrations in front of the visiting fans were unwise to say the least and earned him a booking from Mike Dean, but also provoked some distasteful chanting from Newcastle supporters. Mido's booking was one of six for Boro which will earn them an FA fine.

Manager Gareth Southgate said: "We had to calm Mido down. It's interesting that 3,000 people can abuse one person and nothing is done. When the boot is on the other foot, he gets in trouble. In terms of civil liberties, I find that strange. I lost count of the bookings and we can't appeal."

Within five minutes of Michael Owen's arrival - not that the England international contributed a thing - Newcastle regained the lead with former Boro striker Mark Viduka finally out- muscling Jonathan Woodgate after 77 minutes to turn on to Geremi's pass and thrash a shot past Schwarzer.

Although he turned in triumph initially, the Aussie tried to compose himself and not celebrate his 150th goal in British football.

Allardyce was furious with Arca's superb goal 10 minutes from time, when he planted a firm left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

The Newcastle boss said: "It was absolutely unacceptable. If we are to be successful at Newcastle, that will have to stop. Hopefully, it will be the last time we'll see it."

Southgate added: "The only way my team were going to come off beaten was on a stretcher."

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6; Young 6, Woodgate 8, Wheater 7, A Taylor 6; Boateng 7 (Cattermole 84min, 6), Rochemback 7, Arca 8, Downing 7; Aliadiere 5, (Tuncay Sanli 74, 5), Mido 7. Booked: Mido, Woodgate, Young, Wheater, Tuncay Sanli, Rochemback.

NEWCASTLE (4-3-2-1): Harper 7; Carr (Ramage 5, 7; Cacapa 59, 6), S Taylor 7, Rozehnal 6, N'Zogbia 7; Geremi 6, Butt 7, Smith 6; Martins 5, (Owen 72, 5), Milner 6; Viduka 6. Booked: Butt, Milner, Smith.

Man of the match: Julio Arca.

Referee: Mike Dean.