Sammy on song as Toon fight back

Club Brugge 2 Newcastle 2

The 20-year-old was a key figure as the Magpies cancelled out Club Brugge’s early two-goal lead to claim a point at the Jan Breydel Stadion and ease closer to qualification for the knockout stage.

It was his 43rd-minute pass which 31-year-old Shola converted two minutes after Vurnon Anita had dragged the visitors back into the game on an eventful evening in Flanders, and Pardew was delighted with his contribution.

He said: “I thought they were both good tonight. We had Ameobi to Ameobi — which is almost like a song — for the second goal, which was nice.

“It was a great little turn from Sammy. He has just got this way of getting out of corners that I have not seen many players being able to get out of. He wriggles out of situations.

“He still needs to tighten up a little bit on the tactical and intelligence sides of the game. He takes people on where perhaps he should pass. But he will learn that.’’

Newcastle got off to a catastrophic start as the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead, aided and abetted by some dreadful defending.

Ivan Trickovski took advantage of Fabricio Coloccini’s indecision to control Ryan Donk’s 14th-minute long ball and beat Tim Krul, and Jesper Jorgensen doubled to dose within five minutes after shooting home from 20 yards.

But it was the Magpies who finished the half with a flurry with Anita volleying home his first goal for the club four minutes before the break and Shola Ameobi levelling.

Both sides could have won it in the second half — substitute Yohan Cabaye hit the bar with a free-kick and Krul made a series of fine saves to deny Brugge — but a point kept the Magpies at the top of the group.

Pardew said: “I wasn’t too concerned. I thought we would score goals tonight, it was just important not to let any more in.

“We came in at half time in a strong position and really all we did second half was just to make sure defensively we were sound, and apart from a few breakaways and a couple of set-plays, I thought we did that.’’

The draw leaves Newcastle a point clear at the top of Group D and a victory over Maritimo at St James’ Park on November 22 will ensure their progression.

CLUB BRUGGE: Jorgacevic, Hogli, Hoefkens, Almeback, Jordi, Donk, Odjija Ofoe (Lagrou 81), Lestienne, Jorgensen, Trickovski (Tchite 46),Bacca.

NEWCASTLE: Krul, Anita, Williamson (Steven Taylor 58), Coloccini, Tavernier, Tiote, Sammy Ameobi (Amalfitano 83), Marveaux, Bigirimana (Cabaye 72), Obertan, Shola Ameobi.

Ref: Luca Banti (Italy).