Woodgate inspires victory

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND, FIRST LEG/Partizan Belgrade 0...Newcastle United 1 Ever since the demise of Bobby Moncur some three decades ago, the greatest deficiency in Newcastle United has been their lack of authority in the centre of defence, writes Michael Walker in Belgrade.

It is a problem that has undermined the club, but the fault line has now been addressed.

When Bobby Robson paid Leeds United £9 million for Jonathan Woodgate in January, some thought the fee inflated. But Woodgate made it seem like a bargain last night with an individual performance that will burn itself into Geordie folklore.

In an intimidating environment, and with Partizan Belgrade initially inspired and aggressive throughout, Woodgate stood out, heading ball after ball away to give Newcastle the sort of sound platform on which the rest of the team could thrive.

Crucially they kept a clean sheet, while Nolberto Solano's goal should mean that Newcastle progress to the group stage of the competition for the second successive year after the return at St James' Park in a fortnight.

Laurent Robert, too, was active from the off. It was from the Frenchman's 39th-minute cross that Newcastle had their lead.

Alan Shearer was the target as the ball was whipped in by Robert. But Taribo West nudged Shearer as he prepared to head it from six yards. Shearer had already started his penalty appeal when the ball ran on to Solano who stabbed the ball in.

Newcastle had only 100 supporters in a stadium of 32,000, so the silence that greeted this development was startling.

That situation was maintained at half-time, although Shay Given had to produce a 45th-minute save from Andrija Delibasic to keep Newcastle's advantage.

Olivier Bernard had a decent chance in the 74th minute, but it needed another save from Given to deny Ivica Iliev with 10 minutes left. But Given left the best to last with a dramatic block with his legs from Milan Stojanoski.

PARTIZAN BELGRADE: Kralj; Cirkovic, Dordevic, Bajic, West, Malbasa; Duljaj (Drulovic, 46), Ilic, Nad; Iliev, Delibasic (Stojanoski, 60). Booked: Ilic, Dordevic, Malbasa, West.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Woodgate, Bernard; Solano (Jenas, 83), Dyer, Speed, Robert (Ameobi, 65); Bellamy, Shearer. Booked: O'Brien, Ameobi, Shearer, Bernard.

Referee: V Hrinak (Slovakia).