Newcastle United(1) 4 Asprilla (42,58), Ginola (65), Ferdinand (90)
Ferencvaros (0) 0
Att: 35,740
Newcastle: Srnicek, Peacock, Albert, Elliott, Batty, Lee,
Gillespie (Barton 90), Ginola, Beardsley, Asprilla, Ferdinand.
Subs not used: Hislop, Kitson, Clark, Watson
Ferencvaros: Szeller, Telek, Kuznyecov (Arany 54), Hrutka,
Nyilas, Szucs, Miriuta (Zavadsky 30), Jagodics, N. Nagy,
Horvath (Hollo 63), Nichenko
Subs Not Used: T. Nagy, Simon
This was the real thing. Big European night, lights gleaming onto an almost neon green pitch, packed ground, live on the telly. It seems an eon ago that we were underdogs at the Abbey Stadium one Tuesday night. In four years the club has been totally transformed. One day we might be back in Cambridge so I guess it's important to remember great nights like these.
The simple fact was that we needed to win. Keegan opted for his attacking formation of three at the back with Ginola and Mr. Gillespie as wing backs. Elliot came in for Beresford and Mr. Wobbly Legs, Tino Asprilla, played up front with Ferdinand.
The game started well, Asprilla and Ferdinand played a one two but the goalie was off his line sharpish. Things then began to get sticky as the Hungarians threw five across midfield and contained us. Whilst we had the ball it was tricky getting through.
Then Elliot ran down the line, beating three men and crossing for Tino, who got to the ball just before the defender who brought him down ... probably. Peter sent the keeper the wrong way but the ball hit the post. This was the third penno that Peter has missed in three years, for some reason I know when he is going to miss them. I can't explain why, I just know and it's spooky.
Anyway at this point things looked a bit bleak. Thankfully Ginola decided that this was about the right time to terrorise the Ferencvarous defence. He cut in and sent a searing shot just over. Just before half time Mr. Gillespie took a corner which was headed out to Ginola on the edge of the box, the Frenchman met the ball cleanly on the volley with his right boot and the goalie made a great save. From the resultant corner Ferdinand and Albert pressured the goalie, the ball dropped to Tino who managed to poke it in. A wave of relief swept around St James'.Tino had done well because he was leaning back when he hit the ball and he managed to place it past a host of defenders on the line.
In the second half Newcastle really dominated. Gillespie made some incisive runs and one cross found Ferdinand, seven yards out. Ferdinand rose in traditional style and gave the ball a Glasgow kiss. However the ball flew wide, a bad miss.
The Ginola raced onto a through ball and spanked it against the underside of the bar. The ball bounced down but the Russian linesman said 'niet'.
Finally the second came. A freekick was partially cleared and Peecock headed it over the defence to Tino who dummied to smack it and then placed it past a lead footed goalie. I only realised the subtlety of this goal when I watched it on the tele. At the time I was still reeling from the fact that Sharon had actually headed the ball to a Newcastle player.
The third goal was sublime. A Gillespie corner was punched out by the goalie to Ginola.He controlled the ball on his right thigh, he then flicked it over the on-rushing defender with his right instep, his eyes remained glued on the ball as he sent a fantastic left foot volley into the top corner, breathtaking.
We wrapped it up at the end when Barton (who had just come on) crossed, from what was probably an offside position, to Ferdinand who made no mistake.
A great night. Batty and Lee had provided a solid base for Ginola and Tino to ooze class. We scored some great goals and controlled the entire game. However it is worth remembering that at one point we were two goals down in this tie. The reason that our task was achievable tonight was because Ferdinand and particulary Shearer had dragged us back into the game in Hungary.
Next round draw: Metz (Fr) v Newcastle [Nov 19(a) & Dec 3rd(h) BOTH LIVE ON BBC]