By Peter Donnelly
January 11 2003

Newcastle United lost 3-1 in the Nou Camp on Wednesday night, after goals from Dani, Kluivert and defender Motta. Their 3rd goal was a killer, but we never really penetrated Barca enough to win. Newcastle: Given , Bernard , Griffin , Hughes , O'Brien , Dyer , Speed , Robert , Solano , Ameobi , Lua Lua (Chopra 85)
Subs not used: Harper , Dabizas , Caldwell S , Acuna , Jenas.

It wasn't a good start to the game, as after only 7 minutes striker Dani put Barcelona ahead with an excellent finish.

But, as usual, we bounced back and on 24 minutes Shola Ameobi scored with a very cool finish. Good work from Solano and Dyer created the opportunity.

Soon after, Solano himself nearly scored after a fantastic 30-yarder with a shot that was saved by the 'keeper.

Newcastle always looked weak when defending though particularly when Marc Overmars came up against Griffin.

Nonetheless Barca's defence was never solid too and stand-in strikers LuaLua and Shola were proving hard to handle for De Boer and co. However, as much as we tried, we never really dominated a part of the game and were not really consistant in our play.

And on 36 minutes Patrick Kluivert made it 2-1, after Overmars' pass. O'Brien should have been marking the Dutchman who was left free to score.

In the second half Newcastle were always in the game at 2-1 but the killer goal came when Barca swung in one of many crosses and Given came but failed to get to the ball. Barca'a Motta rose to head towards goal and dodgy reactions from Dyer confirmed the goal.

It ended 3-1 but the experience gained would have been invaluble and Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi deeserves special praise for his peformance, he was excellent and is rapidly devoleping this season.