No fairytale return for Owen as Kitson kills off Magpies

MICHAEL OWEN finally made his long-awaited comeback but the England striker’s presence could not prevent Newcastle slipping to defeat.

All eyes were on Owen, who has been out for 10 months since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in last summer’s World Cup, but it was Reading marksman Dave Kitson who buried Seol Ki-Hyeon’s cross in the 50th minute to clinch the Royals’ third straight victory.

A cool seventh-minute finish also saw Owen put the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside.