Early blitz puts Newcastle in driving seat

Newcastle 4 AZ Alkmaar 2

A Gretar Steinsson own goal and strikes from Kieron Dyer and Obafemi Martins saw the Magpies race into a 3-0 lead with just 23 minutes gone as the Dutchmen were torn apart.

Shota Arveladze reduced the deficit with a 31st-minute header, but Martins — identified as the dangerman by AZ coach Louis van Gaal before the game — claimed his 16th goal of the season six minutes later.