Ameobi hits the right spot

Metalist 0 Newcastle 1 (Newcastle 1-0 on agg):Shola Ameobi fired Newcastle into the last 16 of the Europa League from the penalty spot as the Magpies kept their cool in icy Ukraine.

Ameobi’s 15th European goal – only Alan Shearer has scored more for the club – came after midfielder Moussa Sissoko had been tripped by goalkeeper Olexandr Goryainov.

The striker calmly converted from 12 yards to silence a packed house at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv.

It was no more than the Magpies, who had two goals disallowed in last week’s first leg on Tyneside, deserved from a spirited display, although goalkeeper Tim Krul, who had denied substitute Willian six minutes later, also had to pull off a stunning double save to keep out Jonathan Cristaldo 13 minutes from time.

But the Magpies made the breakthrough with 26 minutes remaining when Sissoko’s industry was finally rewarded.

The midfielder chased down a poor back-pass by defender Papa Gueye and in his efforts to rescue the situation, Goryainov tripped the Newcastle man.

Belgian referee Serge Gumienny pointed straight to the spot and after Sissoko had received treatment, Ameobi kept his nerve to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

METALIST: Goryainov, Villagra, Torsiglieri, Fininho, Edmar (S Blanco, 82), Cleiton, Sosa, Torres (Willian, 66), Marlos (Jakson, 67), Gueye, Cristaldo. Booked: Fininho, Crisaldo. Subs not used: Disljenkovic, Berezovchuk, Shelayev, Oleg Krasnopyorov.

NEWCASTLE: Krul; Coloccini, Simpson, Yanga-MBiwa, Haidara, Cabaye (Bigirimana, 87), Sissoko, Anita (Perch, 76), Marveaux, Cisse (Gutierrez,75), Sh Ameobi. Booked: Haidara, Krul, Cisse. Subs not used: Elliot, S Taylor, Gosling, , Obertan Referee: S Gumienny (Bel)