JUST as they had been in their two previous outings, Newcastle United were inspired by the skills of Peter Beardsley and the power of Les Ferdinand last night, overcoming their Swedish challengers by a margin that should be good enough to secure a place in the next round.
However, if the score line was convincing the performance, at times, was less than that. The two, goals, within four minutes, effectively ended the contest but Newcastle searched for more. They were disappointed that Shearer had two disallowed but relieved when Svensson's strike hit the woodwork rather than the net.
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan withdrew left back, Elliott, from the starting line up and replaced him with Faustino Asprilla. The Colombian's presence on the left flank meant that Ginola, a right footed player, at last started on his natural side and there was an immediate dividend.
Only five minutes had gone when Ginola, fed by Shearer, swung in a fast, tempting cross for both Ferdinand and the Halinstads' keeper, Nordberg. Ferdinand's appetite, fuelled by three goals in his last two games proved the greater and he bravely headed Newcastle one up.
If the Toon Army, missing a battalion or two, took that as the signal for a landslide they had not reckoned on the Swedes' 10 man defensive maze. Beardsley however, was the man with the compass.
Shearer had a trademark free kick tipped away for a corner from which Ferdinand had a fierce shot blocked before Beardsley co-ordinated a brilliant seven man end to end move than finished with Shearer onto a post.
Still, with all theirs session Newcastle's three man back line displayed a familiar vulnerability, and when Howey lost the ball 10 yards inside the Halmstads half, Peacock was required to retrieve the situation and block Robert Andersson's effort. Then Svensson flashed a shot wide.
Step up Asprilla. Having ebbed in and out of the game as he does, he slipped his marker in the 26th minute and latched onto Ginola's deep, searing centre to lustily volley the most difficult of high balls past Nordberg.
Once again, though, United lost their way a little and just prior to the interval Arvidsson rustled the outside of Srnicek's net. Keegan brought on Albert for Howey at half time, and this found a quick reward.
Out on the left this time, Ginola flung in another inviting cross that Nordberg came for and missed. Albert did not, but the Belgian's header struck a post before rebounding off his shins and in.
Shortly after it was 4-0 with Beardsley conjuring a goal to match Asprilla's for quality. Controlling Asprilla's corner with his left, Beardsley sold his marker, advanced a yard and exquisitely chipped the keeper.
