Magpies hopes dashed as Feyenoord hit early

Newcastle 0

Pardo smashed home a superb fourth-minute volley with the help of a slight deflection off Andy Griffin to ultimately hand his side victory.

But former Sunderland goalkeeper Edwin Zoetebier, who produced a string of excellent saves, was as responsible for denting Sir Bobby Robson’s hopes Newcastle had enough chances to get something out of the game, and they now have their work cut out if they are to progress.

Pardo struck with just four minutes gone - courtesy of a slight deflection off Andy Griffin - to give his side the crucial points.

But in an end-to-end encounter, it took a fine goal-line clearance by Brett Emerton to deny Craig Bellamy a vital equaliser.

Gary Speed’s industry was helping his side to gain a foothold in the middle of the park, but it was full-back Griffin who sparked the 29th-minute move which saw Robert play Bellamy into space for the striker to curl a left-foot effort from distance wide.

Encouraged by the improved performance, United forced Feyenoord back and defender Patrick Paauwe was grateful to see his miscued clearance from a driven Robert cross spiral away for a corner rather than anything more sinister.

But if they were posing a greater threat in attack, Given’s goal looked no safer as the home defence contrived to put themselves under needless pressure at regular intervals in a nervy display.

However, going forward, Newcastle were gradually growing in confidence and Zoetebier had to produce good saves from first Shearer with a shot on the turn and then Bellamy’s header as his defence finally started to show signs of creaking.

United came out in the second half with all guns blazing in the search for an early equaliser, and they could have had one within two minutes of the restart.

They were awarded a free-kick wide on the right and Robert drilled it left-footed to the near post when Shearer met the ball on the full - but could only scuff his shot harmlessly wide.

The Magpies were increasing the pressure all the time, and it took another timely intervention by Paauwe to intercept Bellamy’s low cross after Hughes and Robert had staged a lightning 64th-minute breakaway.

Given made a good save from Ono’s 71st-minute snapshot and was then grateful to see the Japanese midfielder sidefoot into his waiting arms after Buffel left the home defence standing.

But Newcastle continued to press for an equaliser and went close twice, Zoetebier saving well from Robert on 74 minutes and then Bellamy seeing his dipping shot clip the bar two minutes later.

And they should have been level seven minutes from time when substitute Lomana LuaLua controlled Shearer’s cross but then blasted his shot inches wide.

As United pushed forward with abandon at the death, Feyenoord launched a series of counter-attacking raids, but Pardo’s goal proved enough to clinch all three points.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Griffin, O’Brien, Dabizas, Hughes, Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert, Shearer, Bellamy.

FEYENOORD: Zoetebier, Emerton, Van Wonderen, Paauwe, Rzasa, Song, Bosvelt, Ono, Pardo, Van Hooijdonk, Buffel.