Martins double sees nervous Newcastle through

NEWCASTLE striker Obafemi Martins paid a sizeable chunk off his £10 million (€14.8m) transfer fee to fire his side into the UEFA Cup group stages last night.

The 21-year-old headed home a 47th-minute Emre corner for his first goal at St James’ Park, and added a second three minutes later with a strike to see off Levadia Tallinn.

Martins’ intervention could hardly have been better timed, after a lethargic opening 45 minutes by the Magpies which had given the Estonians hope of clawing their way back into the tie.