Newcastle comeback secures knockout spot
Glenn Roeder can look forward to further continental action with Newcastle
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Thursday, 23, Nov 2006 10:39
Newcastle United rallied after falling behind to an early Celta Vigo goal to win 2-1 at St James' Park and book their place in the next round.
The Magpies got off to a terrible start when a defensive blunder allowed Fabian Canobbio to increase the pressure on the Geordies with a ninth-minute strike.
Goalkeeper Shay Given appeared to be poised to claim an early cross, but defender Steven Taylor appeared unaware of his team-mate's positioning, weakly heading clear to the edge of the area where Canobbio was on hand to curl home a shot.
Misfiring forward Albert Luque had been afforded a rare start as Newcastle's injury crisis continues to bite and he had already dragged a shot painfully wide when the hosts fell behind.
By contrast Antoine Sibierski seems to be enjoying a renaissance since his move to the north-east and he netted his third goal in five Uefa cup appearances to draw his team level on 37 minutes.
James Milner's cross picked out the Frenchman at the far post and a firm header across goalkeeper Esteban restored parity.
With a point enough to see them through, Newcastle seemed to rein in any attacking instinct in a less-entertaining second period as the game threatened to peter out.
But ten minutes from time Taylor stooped low to head home Luque's fiendish centre to wrap up a win and redeem himself after his early error.