By Peter Donnelly
September 26 2003

Newcastle put on a 5-star peformance on Wednesday night, beating NAC Breda 5-0 in the UEFA Cup first round at St. James'. Stars such as Dyer, Robert and Bellamy were truly back to their best. Newcastle:
Given
Hughes, O'Brien, Bramble, Bernard
Dyer, Jenas, Speed, Robert
Shearer, Bellamy.

Nobby Solano had a slight injury, which was the reason for his exclusion.

Newcastle took the game by the scruff of the neck right from the start, as Dyer (who played right-wing), Robert, Bellamy and Shearer were all causing Breda's defence big problems.

All the possesion and the chances was for the home side, though it was still 0-0 after half-an-hour. However on 33-mins, Bellamy broke the deadlock with a lovely lob over their keeper, after he was played through by Shearer's flick.

Bellamy then put United 2-0 up only six minutes later, as he finished off a brilliant team move. The fantastic Titus Bramble started it all when he made a crunching tackle near the half-way line. The ball fell to Jenas who passed first time to Speed, then Speed likewise to Dyer on the right. Dyer played it up to Shearer who held up the ball for Dyer to take on, and he did with great effect, playing Robert in down the left who unselfishely squared for Bellamy to tap in. Newcastle were on a all-time high at this point.

Half-time: 2-0.

The second half was pretty much the same as the first. On the hour mark Bramble got his first goal for the club to make it three, with a towering header from Robert's corner. It was a well-deserved goal for 'Wor Titus who has clearly shown on many occasions what potential he has got - none more so than this game.

It was Shearer's turn to get on the score sheet next, though he had to have two bites at the cherry. First of all, Robert was played in down the left again with lots of space and the winger crossed a perfect ball for Shearer on the run, however Big Al smashed over the bar to everyones disbelief. But this just made Shearer even more hunrgy, as he lined up a free-kick from about 25-yards soon after. The ball was touched to the captain and a frightened NAC wall just stood and watched, letting Alan take an extra touch and then belt the ball into the corner.
4-0.

It wasn't over yet mind. Darren Ambrose came on for Kieron Dyer late on and the ex-Ipswich youngin' jumped unmarked to head home another Laurent Robert cross, after the Frenchman skinned his full-back yet again.

Full-time: 5-0.

This was a much-needed win for the Toon and although some would say that NAC Breda arn't the best opposition, the application from Newcastle was perfect.

I've been saying for some time now that Dyer has been living on his reputation for a while. However, the midfielder at last put in a peformance worthy of a first-team place. He ran Breda ragged and his running WITH the ball was excellent throughout.

Gary Speed also had a very good game, tidying up whenever nessecary which is what he's there for. And like Dyer, Laurent Robert looked as hungry as ever when he hasn't seemed to be in recent weeks. He caused big problems down the left all night and got round the full-back on plenty of occaions. Jermiane Jenas' attitude was spot on too.

In defence, O'Brien was very solid and Bramble was outstanding. Although they didn't have a lot to contend with, they did it brilliantly when, they were required to act. Olivier Bernard showed what a quality full-back he is again and how lucky we are to have a player of such potential and Aaron Hughes put in a very good shift too.

Upfront, Bellamy was back to his best and got back on the score-sheet at last. Him and Shearer linked up well all night and hopefully they can keep it going.

A big mention must go to the NAC Breda fans though, who were very good company to have. They gave their team excellent support but on the final whilstle they also gave generous claps to the Toon Army, as we gave them claps back too. Even when out-going Newcastle fans were walking past we all clapped them as they're clearly good, honest fans. None of this hooligan crap. Also, lets continue the atmosphere at SJP the other night can continue into the other home games to come, it clearly helps the players.