Newcastle fight back in Basle

FC Basle 2-3 Newcastle

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Shola Ameobi scored Newcastle's winner after the Magpies twice came from behind to take control of their Uefa Cup tie with Basle.

The highlight of the match was a spell of three goals in four minutes.

Long-range goals from Mario Cantaluppi and Scott Chipperfield were sandwiched by an impressive equaliser from Laurent Robert.

Titus Bramble restored parity for a second time close to half time and Newcastle's tenacious performance was eventually rewarded with Ameobi's winner.

Basle, managed by one-time Tottenham boss Christian Gross, caused Newcastle's central defensive pairing of Bramble and Andy O'Brien problems throughout the evening.

Chipperfield, Hakin Yakin and Christian Gimenez played with skill and intelligence to create openings and Shay Given made several good saves.

Hakin Yakin and Gimenez had gone close for Basle before the home team eventually took the lead when Cantaluppi smashed the ball past Shay Given.

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Alan Shearer had forced a good save from Pascal Zuberbuhler before Ameobi played Robert through to strike the ball across the Basle keeper with a crisp left-foot shot.

But Newcastle's joy was short lived, Chipperfield capitalising on Newcastle's failure to clear their lines by driving home from the edge of the area.

Bramble made a crucial last-ditch challenge to prevent Gimenez converting Chipperfield's cross, before going on to score Newcastle's second equaliser after 37 minutes.

Robert's swirling corner caused confusion in the Basle area and Bramble swept the ball home on the turn.

Gross' team might have taken the lead for a third time in the opening half, but Gimenez's header rebounded off the Newcastle post with Given well beaten.

The home team continued to cause the Newcastle defence problems in the second half.

KEY MOMENTS 11 mins: Cantaluppi puts Basle ahead 14 mins: Robert equalises for Newcastle 15 mins: Chipperfield puts Basle in the lead again 37 mins: Bramble equalises for Newcastle 75 mins: Ameobi scores Newcastle's winner

Nolberto Solano cleared off the line after Julio Hernan Rossi's header.

Solano could only hook the ball as far as Gimenez, but Given was equal to the Argentine's shot.

Rossi had another good chance to restore Basle's advantage after 66 minutes but, after finding space between Newcastle's two central defenders, headed over Given's goal.

Newcastle continued to mount occasional attacks and a long-range strike from Robert was well claimed by Zuberbuhler.

Robson urges caution

And Sir Bobby Robson's team took the lead for the first time after 75 minutes when a poor defensive clearance was intercepted by Solano.

The Peruvian passed to Ameobi, who held off two defenders before slipping the ball past Zuberbuhler.

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Basle: Zuberbuhler, Philipp Degen, Murat Yakin, Zwyssig, Atouba, Huggel, Cantaluppi, Chipperfield, Hakan Yakin (Rossi 60), Gimenez (Barberis 82), Streller.
Subs Not Used: Quennoz, Ze Maria, Rapo, David Degen, Smiljanic.

Booked: Philipp Degen.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Bramble, Bernard, Solano (Ambrose 85), Jenas, Speed, Robert (Viana 90), Shearer, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Stephen Caldwell, Dabizas, LuaLua, Chopra.

Attendance: 30,000

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway).