Newcastle through to historic semi

Newcastle 2 PSV Eindhoven 1 (Newcastle win 3-2 on aggregate)

Newcastle warriors Gary Speed and Alan Shearer teamed up to fire their side into the UEFA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 35 years on an agonisingly tense European night on Tyneside.

Shearer headed the Magpies in front with his 26th goal of the season just nine minutes into the second leg of their quarter-final clash with Sir Bobby Robson’s former club PSV Eindhoven.

But after Mateja Kezman had levelled from the penalty spot seven minutes after the break Speed chose the perfect moment to claim his first of the competition this season with a 66th-minute bullet header to set up a grandstand finish.

The Magpies have not made the last four since they won the then Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 – their last major trophy – and they got there at the expense of Guus Hiddink’s side, who only missed out on a place in the second group stage of the Champions League on goal difference.

Memories of their own premature exit from the biggest European competition at the hands of Partizan Belgrade came flooding back after Kezman had tied the aggregate scores but this time Newcastle had the mettle to fight back and claim a last-four meeting with Marseille, who edged past Inter Milan 2-0 on aggregate.

Robson’s knowledge of Dutch football in general and PSV in particular meant that there was never any danger his players would under-estimate their opponents and the evidence of the first leg, in which they had to defend like Trojans to secure their 1-1 draw, simply served to reinforce that message.

As so often when they have needed it most, it was skipper Shearer who came up with the goods in combination with enigmatic Frenchman Laurent Robert, whose indifferent first-half display was in stark contrast to the quality of his most important contribution.

It was his precise corner which allowed the 33-year-old striker to dart to the near post and glance a header past the helpless Ronald Waterreus to give the Magpies a precious 2-1 advantage and lay the foundation for a famous night on Tyneside.

Both Aaron Hughes and Titus Bramble might have increased their side’s lead within minutes of the opening goal, although the Irishman could not control his diving header and his English counterpart wastefully failed to connect with an inviting Darren Ambrose cross as it reared up off the uneven pitch.

However, PSV quickly settled and gradually worked their way pack into the game, holding midfielder Johann Vogel and captain Mark van Bommel in particular toiling in a bid to open up the supply lines to striker Kezman and wide men Dennis Rommedahl and Ji-Sung Park.

But even though they enjoyed plenty of possession the Dutch side simply could not break down a rearguard in which Jonathan Woodgate and Bramble were again little short of outstanding.

Hiddink replaced the largely ineffectual Rommedahl with striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink at the break and switched Park to the right and his side were level within seven minutes.

Ambrose failed to clear an overhit cross to allow Young-Pyo Lee to send the ball back across goal and, as Olivier Bernard attempted to control the ball on his chest, Park nipped in and was sent sprawling over the Frenchman’s leg.

Spanish referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez pointed to the spot to hand Kezman his first shot at goal and the Serbia and Montenegro international did not disappoint the 986 travelling fans.

Mr Gonzalez turned down appeals for a second penalty five minutes later after van Bommel went down over Bramble’s outstretched leg and United were rocking.

Bramble might have eased their nerves had he managed to direct Robert’s 62nd-minute free-kick under the crossbar rather than over it and the home side were opened up again seconds later to allow Lee to test Given at his near post.

But as play switched rapidly from end to end Newcastle got their noses in front once again when Speed rose majestically to power a header from a 66th-minute Robert corner into the net and ease the tension.

Nevertheless, the home fans were on the edges of their seats as the visitors launched their final, desperate charge.

With just three minutes remaining, Given had to throw himself to his right to keep out Wilfred Bouma’s curling free-kick with the home fans collectively holding their breath and then watched as the same man crashed a long-range drive over the crossbar, but that, apart from joyous celebrations on the final whistle, was that.