Magpies recover to steal advantage over Mallorca

Newcastle 4 Real Mallorca 1

Newcastle staged a remarkable second-half fightback to fire themselves to within touching distance of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals with a four-goal burst inside 16 minutes.

Trailing 1-0 to Fernando Correa’s 57th-minute opener, Craig Bellamy levelled after 68 minutes before skipper Alan Shearer headed home his 20th goal of the season three minutes later.

Laurent Robert made it 3-1 with a 74th-minute free-kick and after Edu Moya - one of eight Mallorca players booked previously – was sent off Titus Bramble scored a fourth six minutes from time.

Bellamy and Kieron Dyer handed Newcastle boss Bobby Robson a major boost after both declaring themselves fit after hamstring injuries while French full-back Olivier Bernard returned after suspension with Jonathan Woodgate, unwell earlier in the week, dropping to the bench.

Mallorca boss Luis Aragones made no fewer than nine changes to the side which lost 3-2 in La Liga at Barcelona on Sunday with only dangermen Alejandro Campano and Samuel Eto’o surviving and veteran defender Miguel Angel Nadal having to make do with a seat on the bench.

The game was preceded by a minute’s silence for the victims of the Madrid bombings but the visitors took little time to get into their stride, Eto’o shooting over from close range after United failed to deal adequately with Nene’s left-wing corner.

Campano combined neatly with striker Correa down the right and sent in a cross which wrong-footed Bramble in the middle but Eto’o was unable to take advantage as he bundled his effort wide.

Andy O’Brien’s deep free-kick fell to Robert beyond the far post but his driven cross was cleared in uncompromising style by Federico Lussenhoff.

Jermaine Jenas set Newcastle moving in the right direction four minutes later when he robbed Gonzalo Colsa and went forward before forcing Fernando Nino to concede a corner with a ball in to Robert, although the Frenchman wasted the chance with a lazy delivery.

Mallorca continued to play with a confidence which belied their lowly league position and Eto’o tested Shay Given with an audacious 22nd-minute volley with the outside of his right foot.

However, Bellamy was appealing for a penalty – more in hope than expectation - a minute later after going to ground in an untidy clash with Cortes.

Referee Alain Hamer lost patience with the visitors twice in quick succession when he booked Moya for a challenge on Dyer and then cautioned Correa for disputing his decision.

Robert had Real’s Argentinian keeper Leo Franco on his toes after he won a 41st-minute free-kick 25-yards out and hammered a low shot just wide of his left post.

The Frenchman began the second half where he had left off in the first when he found space down the left and crossed, but once again, his delivery lacked the necessary quality and Franco claimed with ease.

Given was less comfortable after 48 minutes when he had to contend with Moya’s mis-hit ball into the box as it wobbled on the swirling wind but he collected safely.

United created their best opportunity yet after 57 minutes when Robert played Bellamy in on the right side of the penalty area but although the Welshman struck his shot well, Franco saved with his legs.

The home side had started to build up a momentum but they threw it all away seconds later when Speed’s loose pass was intercepted by Eto’o and he fed the ball out to Campano before heading into the box to receive his return pass.

Eto’o fired his shot off immediately and was unfortunate to see it come back off the crossbar with Given beaten, but Correa followed up to head into the empty net and give his side the lead.

Newcastle hit back after 68 minutes when Shearer flicked on Bramble’s free-kick and Bellamy ran through to slot right-footed past Franco.

Shearer was not to be denied and when Robert drove the ball in he charged unmarked to the near post to glance home his 20th goal of the season.

United forged further ahead after 74 minutes when Real conceded a free-kick 30 yards out and Robert crashed in a low shot which caught Franco flat-footed as it swerved into the back of the net.

The keeper did well to keep out another Robert pile-driver two minutes later as the Spaniards, who had by now had no fewer than eight players booked, lost their cool and, after 83 minutes, Moya for a second bookable offence.

To rub salt into the wound, Bramble volleyed Robert’s free-kick from point-blank range into the back of the net to make it 4-1.