Thursday, March 14, 2013

Newcastle 1 Anzhi Makhachkala 0 (agg 1-0): Last-gasp Cisse heads Magpies through to Europa League last eight


Papiss Cisse repeated his injury-time heroics to head Newcastle into the Europa League quarter-finals as 10-man Anzhi Makhachkala finally succumbed.
The Senegal international, who fired the Magpies to a 2-1 Barclays Premier League win over Stoke on Sunday with a 92nd-minute strike, had to wait two minutes longer to power home Sylvain Marveaux's inviting cross with the final touch of an intriguing contest.
Anzhi, who had midfielder Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez sent off in the second half, came close with two minutes of normal time remaining when Mbark Boussoufa's free-kick came back off Rob Elliot's crossbar.
Last-gasp: Matchwinner Papiss Cisse celebrates his late goal with team-mate Steven Taylor

But on a night of high drama on Tyneside, Alan Pardew's men booked their place in tomorrow's draw for the last eight in Nyon in front of a crowd of 45,487.
Pardew was bullish as he approached the game, but was also swift to point out that while his side's 0-0 draw in Russia had been a good result, Anzhi still posed a major threat back on Tyneside.
He was to be proved correct as Guus Hiddink's men, despite the absence of injured Brazilian Willian, set about their task with some relish.
The visitors ran out at St James' Park knowing a score draw would send them through and from the off, they were positive as Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa struggled to get to grips with former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.
The movement of Boussoufa, Odil Ahmedov and Jucilei behind Eto'o prove hugely problematic for the home side, who were hit on the break time and time again.
Eto'o might have fired the men from Dagestan ahead within three minutes after running on to full-back Andrei Eschenko's through-ball, but he dragged his effort across the face of goal.
Letting fly: Yohan Cabaye threatens with a long-range strike

DONARD GUGAJ

No comments:

Post a Comment