By Nick Raynor
December 1 2006

A draw last night in Germany was enough to see Newcastle top their UEFA Cup group and progress to the next round.

However, Frankfurt bombarded the Newcastle United goal and the Magpies were once again thankful to Shay Given, who earned the point for Newcastle.

 

Finishing top meant Newcastle could avoid Champions League drop-outs in the next round, which could see the Toon go far in this competition.

 

Charles N’Zogbia had the first chance of the game after Luque won his team a free-kick. Emre put the ball in the box which the Frenchman could have headed home, but instead he unselfishly headed it across goal for Frankfurt to clear.

 

Titus Bramble was beaten in the air by Ioannis Amanatidis but the former Ipswich man recovered and blocked Takahara’s shot. Geordie-born Steven Taylor then went on to deny Chistoph Spycher on the rebound.

 

Shay Given was in the right place at the right time after 24 minutes when Streit had a point-blank header which hit Given’s feet.

 

Striet still couldn’t score a few moments later as a cross from Takahara which would have been perfect for Streit, was taken by Amanatidis who failed to score.

 

However, Amanatidis kept the pressure on Newcastle, putting the ball over the bar on 31 minutes and just being held out by Titus Bramble moments later.

 

Newcastle finally applied some pressure in the form of Emre just before half-time as the Turkish international but a free-kick wide.

 

The pressure did not relent for Newcastle in the second half as Amanatidis, at this point wondering how he had not scored, could not connect with a cross from Takahara.

 

Martins came on for Luque on the hour and gave inspiration to a poorly-performing Newcastle team, providing Sibierski a chance to head home but it was bloked by Rehmer.

 

The game calmed down then and Newcastle managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw to top Group H.

 

FINAL SCORE: 0-0