Shearer double but Magpies in sweat

Inter Milan 2

Shearer twice fired the visitors into the lead on 42 and 49 minutes to equal and then overtake Wyn Davies' Magpies European goalscoring record.

But Christian Vieri's first goal in this season's competition cancelled out the opener and then Ivan Cordoba equalised a second time to put Inter Milan in the driving seat for qualification.

With both sides intent on victory, the game was very open. And the visitors went close on 19 minutes when Robert's flick put Shearer in the clear, but when Solano met his cross at the far post, Toldo produced a fine reaction save to deny him.

But the home side had too much at stake to allow the Magpies to have things all their own way, and with Emre starting to link well with Vieri, they threatened with 27 minutes gone when full-back Javier Zanetti played a one-two before homing in on goal and unleashing a low right-foot shot from 20 yards which Shay Given saved well.

Jenas found himself surrounded after he was fouled by Okan, with the Inter players furious that play had not been stopped when Conceicao went down under Bernard's earlier challenge.

But as the temperature rose Conceicao was booked for a wild tackle on Robert and Bramble was a little unfortunate to be cautioned for handball United pressed again.

However, Given needed to be on his toes six minutes before the break when Cannavaro met a Conceicao free-kick with a firm downward header, and he was rewarded within three minutes.

Solano found Bellamy down the United right and he crossed for Shearer to slot home from close range to equal Wyn Davies' club record 10 European goals.

Inter coach Hector Cuper replaced Guly with young striker Akinwunmi Martins at the break as he looked for a way back into the game.

And the move paid off within less than two minutes when the 18-year-old found Conceicao down the right and he crossed for Vieri to launch himself and head his first Champions League goal of the current campaign past Given.

But the Italians were on level terms for just two minutes, and it was Shearer who was again the man on the spot to cash in on Toldo's error.

The keeper could only parry Robert's swerving cross from the left, and as the blue and black shirts struggled to recover, the former England skipper guided home the loose ball to rekindle the party on the terraces behind the goal.

United were forced to battle on with 10 men for several minutes as physio Derek Wright worked to patch up O'Brien's bloodied nose, and Vieri headed over from a Conceicao cross as Inter pressed once again.

O'Brien was ordered to leave the pitch with the blood still flowing on 58 minutes and while his injury was assessed Vieri forced a full-length save from Given with a low drive.

The Republic of Ireland international's evening came to a premature end seconds later when Hughes replaced him, and Inter hit back as United re-organised, Cordoba heading home Emre's 61st-minute free-kick to make it 2-2.

Inter by now had the wind in their sails and they were appealing for a penalty on 71 minutes after Vieri and Bramble clashed inside the box after the defender had only just managed to cut out a long ball which would have put the striker in on goal.

But Newcastle knew a draw was simply not good enough and went close again two minutes later when Gary Speed headed a Griffin cross over.

The Wales skipper was presented with an even better opportunity 11 minutes from time. Although this time he hit the target, he could not beat Toldo.

Robson replaced Robert and Solano with Hugo Viana and Lomana LuaLua with eight minutes remaining, but despite a late flurry during which both sets of players clashed over a disputed free-kick, there was to be no twist in the tail.

INTER MILAN: Toldo, Cordoba, Javier Zanetti, Emre, Sergio Conceicao, Guglielminpietro, Cannavaro, Di Biagio, Okan, Vieri, Coco.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Bernard, O'Brien, Griffin, Bramble, Jenas, Solano, Speed, Bellamy, Shearer, Robert.