Aston Villa skipper Paul Merson was thankful that a wonder strike from David Ginola handed the team an Inter-Toto Cup lifeline against Slaven Belupo.
Villa may have slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Croatia, but Ginola's stunning 30-yard drive that briefly put the team on level terms could prove crucial in next Saturday's second leg at Villa Park.
"David's goal got us out of jail," said Merson. "His goal rescued us and kept us in the tie. This is two-legged football and it does not matter how you play as long as you go through.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was unavailable following his surprise move to Villa last week.
Newcastle boss Bobby Robson returned from Belgium to have the smile wiped from his face by fresh speculation over the future of Kieron Dyer.
Robson was a happy man on Saturday night as he saw his side cruise to 4-0 victory over Sporting Lokeren in the first leg of their third-round tie in the much-maligned Intertoto Cupdespite missing five of their first-choice 11.
However, he flew back to Britain to be greeted by new headlines as suggestions that Dyer is ready to quit the club he joined two years ago from Ipswich Town.
Meanwhile, George Graham expects to hear from Tottenham "within the next couple of weeks" as he attempts to sort out the contractual wrangle which erupted following his departure from White Hart Lane. Graham is claiming €1.5 million compensation after he was ditched by Spurs last season.
Tony Cottee (36) has announced his retirement after an 18-year playing career. He The 36-year-old appeared in the Premiership and all three divisions of the Nationwide League last season - for Leicester, Norwich, Millwall and Barnet.
