Ameobi seals Newcastle's fightback
BASEL, Switzerland -- Striker Shola Ameobi struck in the 75th minute to lift Newcastle to a 3-2 triumph over Swiss Super League leaders Basel in a UEFA Cup first-leg, second-round tie on Thursday.
Ameobi took a pass from Nolberto Solano, shook off defender Marco Zwyssig and fired a shotl through the legs of advancing Basel keeper Pascal Zuberbuehler after the sides had shared four goals in a dramatic first half.
England's two other representatives Manchester City and Liverpool were both held 1-1 after taking a first half lead -- in Liverpool's case with a vital away goal.
Basel midfielder Mario Cantaluppi opened the scoring from 30 meters against Newcastle in the 11th minute, firing straight into the top right corner.
Laurent Robert responded only two minutes later, converting a through pass from Ameobi.
Scott Chipperfield kept up the pace, restoring Basel's slender advantage a minute later after Newcastle failed to properly clear their lines following a throw-in from Thimothee Atouba.
The see-saw battle continued when defender Titus Bramble collected a loose ball after a corner by Robert in the 37th, and volleyed past Zuberbuehler to level at 2-2.
Newcastle were better organized in the second half and left the St Jakob Stadium with every chance of reaching the third round.
French defender Djimi Traore fired Liverpool in front against Steaua Bucharest on a rain-sodden pitch in Romania with a well-placed shot from just outside the area in the 23rd minute.
But striker Claudiu Raducanu put Steaua level against the run of the play in the 69th minute after being put through by substitute Adrian Pitu.
"We still have a chance in Liverpool and we'll play till the last second," said coach Victor Piturca.
Liverpool were missing Michael Owen with an ankle injury and they also missed a host of chances.
Meanwhile, Steaua had a chance to clinch the game two minutes after their equaliser but central defender Dorel Mutica hit the crossbar from 18 meters.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said: "Taking into account the conditions it is a good result and it puts us in a strong position for the second leg at home. There is still a job to do though."
Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka scored after six minutes against Polish club Groclin Dyskobolia, chipping the ball over keeper Mariusz Liberda after collecting a crossfield ball from Robbie Fowler.
City keeper David Seaman saved a powerful header from Groclin's Mariusz Pawlak after 12 minutes, with Marcin Zajac and Grzegorz Rasiak also coming close.
Groclin broke through with the equalizer after 65 minutes when Sebastian Mila scored from a 20 meter free kick -- and that left Premiership City rueing a catalogue of wasted opportunities in the home leg.
