Magpies claim Massive victory

By Peter Donnelly
October 24 2002

Newcastle United won 3 valuble points on Wednesday night, beating Italian Champions Juventus 1-0. A great night for all concerned, as the St. James' Park atmosphere reached boiling point.

In the end it was unexpected scorer Andy Griffin who won the game for United, but the whole team ran their socks off.

Newcastle played the match in their new away kit this season, with Juventus in black and white stripes. The first half was fairlu even but it was Juventus who had the best chance of the game,
Steve Harper passed the ball straight to Nedved but the midfielder somehow missed the target with an open goal right infront of him.

Newcastle came close later on though when Lomana LuaLua wringled past two Juve chanllenges and thrusted into the box. However, his cross-shot was blocked for a corner. The resulting corner did create an opening though, as Alan Shearer headed over after a powerful header. Nobby Solano then curled a long range effort just wide.

Minutes before half-time though Laurent Robert missed United's best chance when Solano picked out Gary Speed who had made a run into the box. Speed then done well to flick the ball right into the path of Robert, but the Frenchman placed his shot wide when a more firmer shot was maybe required.

In the second half Solano found himself behind the Juve defence after a Jenas cross but Buffon made a fantastic save from the Peruvian. Shearer came close from a free-kick before, on just past the hour mark, Newcastle took the lead.

Robert passed the free-kick to Griffin, who took it well and his driven centre came off the outstretched arm of Buffon and nestled in the back of the Juve net.

Buffon went some way to making amends for that error when he produced a save out of the top drawer to deny Solano minutes later.

With time running out Juventus turned up the pressure and Marcelo Zalayeta rattled the woodwork.

However, the Magpies hung to break their win duck in this year's Champions League.

Sir Bobby Robson said after,

"If we'd lost, played like we did and maybe lost - and we could have lost 1-0, it could have gone that way - I think it would have been cruel for our players.

"It would have taken away a lot of their confidence and their enthusiasm, so it was vital that we won.

"The players have now got something, they've got a reward for what they've given, and that was vital to us, crucial to us because now they'll be walking out there feeling good, contented, a bit more power in their spring.

"They've put a lot of effort in to feel that way and it was crucial for us to get a result, for their benefit, for their philosophy. It was wonderful for us.

"This was a a big scalp for us. We've beaten a team of quality. They won the Italian league last year, they haven't lost this season, so it's a big scalp for us and it will do us a power of good.

"There wasn't any doubt that they're a tough nut to crack. They were favourites to go through - they still are - but I think they were aware it was never going to be easy for them here.

"It's a big victory with a youngish team and one or two experienced players. We've done very well. I'm delighted with them."

And Robson is clinging on to the hope that his men can still go through, despite Kiev's 2-0 victory over Feyenoord on Wednesday leaving Newcastle still bottom of Group E.

"This will give us a lot of heart for next week," he added. "We're a little bit in it. It was a huge performance and a great result and the team deserve it. Overall, I think we were just the better side.

"If we finish with nine points - and that's what we'll have to finish with, I think - it might give us a chance.

"I think we've got to get maximum points, but if we can beat Juventus, without counting our chickens, I hope we can do the same against Kiev and the final game is up for grabs.

"It's interesting. We've given ourselves a pretty good injection, we've given ourselves a stimulus."