Todd makes his point to Souness with equaliser

Blackburn 2 Newcastle United 2

Souness and Todd fell out after a bust-up when the Blackburn fans’ player of the season was left on the bench against Leeds in April. Todd never played under Souness again, but has been given a new lease of life since Mark Hughes’ arrival at Ewood Park, culminating in his first goal for 19 months to secure a 2-2 draw.

Hughes said: “It was a great finish and he could even have scored a winner with a header late on. He did well for us, but I don’t think there was any issue over what happened before with Graeme - he is just enjoying playing again.”

Kieron Dyer had put the visitors in front before Paul Dickov levelled. A trademark free-kick by Laurent Robert gave Newcastle the lead again only for Todd to hit back.

It was Blackburn’s 10th draw of the season, and Hughes was angry that a lengthy spell of inaction while referee Matt Messias was replaced by fourth official Uriah Rennie did not lead to sufficient injury-time being played.

Hughes said: “I think we were short of several minutes injury-time. The referee had already come over and said he may have a problem so you would have thought the fourth official would have been ready to take over.

“As it turned out he wasn’t ready and I think they must have got the timings wrong when they changed over and not communicated about how much time was left. They got it wrong but whether they will admit it is another thing.”

Hughes insisted Rovers should have taken all three points. “We started slowly and were caught cold for their first goal but the lads showed great resolve to come back twice, great determination and we have only one defeat in nine. “Newcastle had two shots in the first half and scored two goals, and I think our last three performances have all deserved more than draws.”

Souness was booed by the Blackburn fans on his return, but insisted he had been expecting the reception, although he must have been unhappy at a small section of Newcastle fans adding to the chorus. “I can understand the fans here. I have been in football a long time and that’s the way of the game, I have no complaints.”

As well as scoring himself, Robert’s superb pass set up Dyer for only his second goal in two seasons. The Frenchman, who only last week criticised the Souness regime at Newcastle, also made a couple of vital defensive interventions.

Souness added: “Laurent Robert can do those sort of things when we are bossing the game. My beef is that when we are not bossing the game he doesn’t, but you cannot diminish the impact he had today. He’s 29 years old and you never stop learning.”

The Newcastle manager was also furious with his players for switching off at a Blackburn free-kick, allowing Barry Ferguson to find Dickov unmarked and fire home.

“If you turn your back on play or go looking for a breather at free-kicks you will get punished.”

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Johansson, Matteo, Reid (Thompson 45), Flitcroft, Ferguson, Emerton, Dickov, Stead (Gallagher 88).

NEWCASTLE: Given, Taylor, Andrew O’Brien, Hughes, Elliott (Bramble 60), Milner (Bernard 70), Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Bellamy, Kluivert (Ameobi 45).

Referee: M Messias (S Yorkshire).