Hammers impress in Toon draw

WEST Ham managed to lay their off-field concerns to one side and can consider themselves unlucky not to have come away from St James' Park with all three points after an assured display.

The announcement of an investigation by the FA and Premier League into the legibility of Carlos Tevez's participation for the Hammers in the run-in to the 2006 campaign carries the threat of further financial punishment and a possible points deduction.

But Gianfranco Zola was able to focus his troops' minds on the task in hand on Saturday, as goals from Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole earned his team a valuable point.

Michael Owen was allowed to give Newcastle the lead in the first half however, as Valon Behrami was guilty of giving the England international space to turn and fire his shot past Robert Green from the edge of the box.

But the visitors responded and an intricate passing move created the chance for Bellamy to deftly clip the ball past Shay Given, having received the ball from a clever Scott Parker pass.

Mark Noble was denied by the Republic of Ireland keeper when he was put clean through soon after, but the Irons claimed the lead after the break. Cole, lurking on the shoulder of the last man, timed his run to receive a ball over the top from Herita Ilunga and he smashed in his fourth goal in as many games.

West Ham were good value for their lead but they were pegged back in the latter stages when Andy Carroll leaped highest to plant his header past the static Green.