O'Brien: Magpies can still make final

Newcastle defender Andy O’Brien is backing his side to make it to the UEFA Cup final after helping them claim a vital clean sheet in their semi-final, first leg clash with Marseille.

The Magpies, who went into the game in the face of a major injury crisis, battled their way to a 0-0 draw with Jose Anigo’s men and might even have won it, but for former Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

The France international kept out a first-half strike from Shola Ameobi and then produced the save of the match to beat away an Alan Shearer piledriver with 65 minutes gone to ensure his side returned home with a share of the spoils.

However, the visitors might have emerged victorious had Shay Given not kept out Didier Drogba’s 25th-minute shot, and the same player went agonisingly close 20 minutes after the break with a viciously struck volley which came back off the post.

“We may have deemed ourselves unfortunate not to have won the game.” said O’Brien. “Shola had a good chance blocked in the first half, but it’s a good draw and another clean sheet.

“We go there full of confidence. It’s a one-off game and a score draw will be good enough for us.”