Magpies in sight of last 16
Martins was a constant threat for Newcastle
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Freddie Ljungberg came off the bench to put Arsenal into the last 16 of the FA Cup as they defeated Bolton 3-1 after extra time in their fifth round replay. |  |
Thursday, 15, Feb 2007 10:47
Newcastle look odds-on to make it through to the last 16 of the Uefa Cup after strolling to a 3-1 away win in the first leg of their tie against Belgian side Zulte-Waregem.
Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins posed the main threat early on for the visitors with his pace carrying him behind the Zulte-Waregem backline on several occasions.
A precise through-ball from Kieron Dyer neatly picked out one of his surging runs after 25 minutes, but the former Inter Milan hit-man screwed his finish well wide to waste the clearest opportunity of a cagey opening.
The pair both found themselves with clear sights of goal as the half drew to a close but neither could beat an alert Pieter Merlier.
Glenn Roeder's defence had enjoyed a carefree evening so far and there was little sign that they would be put under any significant pressure as the first period's one-way traffic resumed after the interval.
Dyer's fizzing low cross was diverted into his own net by Frederic Dindeleux shortly after the restart, before the lively Damien Duff was upended on the hour to earn Newcastle a penalty.
Merlier could not atone for his foul as Martins belted home from the spot to seemingly put the game beyond the Gent outfit.
But with 22 minutes left on the clock Karel D'Haene glanced a deft header past Steve Harper to hint at a possible comeback from the home side.
However within five minutes Antoine Sibierski had ended those hopes with a dashing solo goal.
The Frenchman nutmegged a defender before skirting around Merlier to slot home his fourth goal in the competition this season and make progress almost inevitable for his side.