Taylor spares Magpies blushes

The Magpies are now in deep trouble at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League after being forced to share the spoils at the KC Stadium.

But their plight could have been worse had Taylor not replied to the inspirational Geovanni's early effort.

The former Barcelona player threatened from early on with a tricky run into the box but Fabricio Coloccini covered.

Hull grabbed the lead in the ninth minute after a swift counter-attack started and finished by Geovanni. He powered forward to release Craig Fagan down the left and then continued his run into the box to head firmly past Steve Harper.

Obafemi Martins curled a shot just over as Newcastle tried to respond but a wide-open Geovanni caught the visitors out again, only to deliver a poor cross.

Hull retained the upper hand and Geovanni won a free-kick on the edge of the area after being clipped by Geremi. His curling effort looked to have Harper beaten but drifted just wide of the post.

Newcastle levelled against the run of play seven minutes before half-time when Nicky Butt crossed and Taylor flicked a well-controlled volley over keeper Matt Duke from the near post.

Martins had a good chance on the volley for the Magpies in the second half but Hull skipper Ian Ashbee blocked.

Martins wasted another effort but Newcastle switched off again and Bernard Mendy should have punished them after breaking clear down the right. Manucho was unmarked in the box but the Frenchman badly mishit his cross and a relieved Harper was able to gather.