Sporting take slender advantage

Newcastle’s conquerors Sporting Lisbon kept on course to reach the UEFA Cup final on their home ground after a 2-1 victory against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their semi-final at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

The Portuguese team, who also accounted for Middlesbrough before beating the Magpies in the quarter-finals, took a lead into the second leg thanks to a spectacular 25-yard strike from Chile international Mauricio Pinilla 10 minutes from time.