Robson pays tribute to Given

Givens best save was to deny Milan Stojanoski

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has praised Shay Given's "outstanding" performance against Partizan Belgrade after the goalkeeper gave Newcastle a foothold in the Champions League.

The Republic of Ireland player pulled off four instinctive saves to keep Partizan at bay and protect Nolberto Solano's 39th-minute strike to ensure Newcastle came away with a 1-0 away win.

The best of the bunch came deep into injury-time when he managed to keep out substitute Milan Stojanoski's point-blank effort, with Partizan captain Sasa Ilic heading the rebound wide.

"Overall, he was outstanding," said Robson. "He made some good collections of the ball, he was very sharp off his line and he caught the ball well on crosses and naturally at the end, he made an incredible save.

We will try to take our chances better at Newcastle and give it a real go Partizan Belgrade manager Lothar Matthaus

"The player didn't hit a good shot. It was a good opportunity for him. He had all of the goal to aim for, so it was a bit of luck for us. But it was still a very good save."

Given's first save came in first-half injury-time as he kept out Igor Duljaj's drive.

Match report: Partizan Belgrade 0-1 Newcastle

In the final 10 minutes, Given then denied Ivica Iliev, Nikola Malbasa and Stojanoski.

Despite Newcastle's win, Robson refused to think further ahead than the second leg in a fortnight.

"I think Partizan are still very much in the game and I think it will be something similar in Newcastle," he said.

"It was as we expected, not an easy match for us. It was always close - the difference between the two sides was minimal and Partizan in the last second missed a big opportunity.

"Maybe we were a little bit lucky, but it was also a very good save by the goalkeeper, and because we won 1-0, it gives us an advantage."

Opposite number Lothar Matthaus promised that Partizan would adopt an attacking style in the second leg.

"In football, anything can happen and we will try to take our chances better at Newcastle and give it a real go," said Matthaus.

"The tie is only over after the game in Newcastle. We need things to go for us and maybe with a little bit of luck, we can get a 1-0 win."

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