CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVIEW
Coming into this game, Juventus needed just one win to guarantee a place in the second phase and Newcastle were sitting bottom of Group E, still to register a point, and the only team in the competition without a goal. However, Sir Bobby Robson's side turned the form book on its head to beat the Italian champions and keep alive their flickering hopes of qualification.
The unlikely hero for the Magpies was full back Andy Griffin, who took Laurent Robert's short free kick in his stride before firing a low cross-cum-shot through a crowd of players, which was turned into his own net by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. It was hard luck on the £32 million keeper who, for large periods of the game, had single handedly kept Juventus in the game, producing a string of world class saves.
Newcastle's intentions were clear from the start and, in an electric atmosphere at St James' Park, Robert delivered a series of dangerous crosses that Alan Shearer and Lomana Lua Lua were narrowly unable to connect with. Lua Lua, only in the starting line up because of the absence of Kieron Dyer and the suspended Craig Bellamy, was a constant threat to the Juve defence and in the 15th minute his trickery on the edge of the box almost created a chance for Shearer, but Luliano did well to clear the danger.
As Newcastle pushed players forward the visitors always looked dangerous on the break. First, Di Vaio raced clear of Griffin but shot just wide, then Alessandro Del Piero uncharacteristically mis-controlled the ball when given time and space inside the box.
Steve Harper, recalled to the team in place of Shay Given, nearly handed Juventus the opening goal in the 18th minute. Having controlled Andy O'Brien's back pass he tried to slide a ball to Titus Bramble but his pass went straight to Pavel Nedved, and the Czech midfielder fired his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. But Harper redeemed himself a minute later when he rushed out to the edge of the box to deny Di Vaio.
Newcastle enjoyed their best spell of pressure towards the end of the first half, Shearer rising highest to meet Solano's corner but he powered his header just over the bar and Solano fired a powerful shot inches past the post. Then Solano picked out the run of Gary Speed and the Welsh international cushioned a perfect header into the path of Robert but the Frenchman screwed his shot wide from 12 yards.
Newcastle began the second half in the same manner as they had finished the first, but found the world's most expensive goalkeeper living up to his price tag. First he kept out Solano's effort after good work from the impressive Jenas, and then dived full length to save from Shearer's blockbuster free kick. But Buffon then became the villain in the 62nd minute, when he somehow inadvertently diverted Griffin's effort into his own net.
However, the Italian number one redeemed himself in breathtaking style three minutes later, pulling off a magnificent one handed save to keep out Solano's curling effort.
Substitute Gianluca Zambrotta had a chance to level things but shot over the bar and Harper denied Del Piero with a point-blank block. Juventus pressed for the equaliser in the dying minutes and Zayaleta crashed a left foot shot against the bar but Newcastle held on for the win.
Afterwards, Sir Bobby Robson expressed how delighted he was with his side's display. "We showed big resolve and big tenacity tonight," he said. "We fought for every ball on the ground and in the air and worked until the last second. We're a young side along with some very good experienced players but to beat Juventus proves how good a game we have had tonight."
Skipper Alan Shearer was equally pleased, saying: "We knew that if we kept playing the way we have been, something had to give and I think that we fully deserved the win."
Goalkeeper Harper, who was recalled in favour of Given, admitted that he was a little nervous before the game. "I've hardly played any first team football for two years so this was a nice little game to come back to," he joked. "The defence have had some criticism of late but tonight they were fantastic."
Manager Robson concluded: "It would have been horrible if we hadn't got something out of the game. We now have three points and if we can repeat this, we might have six points but we can't count our chickens before they've hatched. But we've given ourselves a chance and put a smile on our faces."
