Ferguson strikes

Newcastle survived an early scare before rallying to dump FC Zurich out of the UEFA Cup.

Gocha Jamarauli threw the tie back into the melting pot with the 17th-minute opener, and the home side struggled to build up a head of steam after seeing their encouraging opening go to waste.

But Silvio Maric's equaliser 12 minutes before the break got the ball rolling, and two goals within three minutes, the first from Duncan Ferguson (following up a shot from Solano in the 58th minute) and then a Gary Speed header, secured the victory.

And in truth if it had not been for the efforts of Zurich goalkeeper Marco Pascolo, who denied Nikos Dabizas three times in quick succession, the scoreline would have been much more impressive.

However, that would have been slightly flattering to Bobby Robson's side, who have played better in recent weeks than they did last night.

The win stretched Newcastle's unbeaten home run to four games and ensured at least one more European night on Tyneside.

NEWCASTLE: Harper, Barton, Marcelino, Dabizas, Domi, Solano, Lee (McClen 82), Speed, Maric (Glass 86), Ferguson (Robinson 82), Shearer. Subs Not Used: Karelse, Charvet, Hughes, Pistone. Goals: Maric 33, Ferguson 58, Speed 61.

FC Zurich: Pascolo, Giannini (Castillo 71), Stocklasa, Djordjevic, Quentin, Eydelie, Kebe (Frick 45), Sant'Anna, Jamarauli, Bartlett (Chassot 45), Kavelashvili. Subs Not Used: Trombini, Andreoli, Douglas, Akale Kanga. Booked: Stocklasa, Pascolo. Goals: Jamarauli 17.

Referee: D Messina (Italy).