By Colin Young
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Newcastle's European ever-present Gabriel Obertan grabbed the winner which keeps Alan Pardew and his team on course for next year's knock-out rounds.
But it was a goal created by the brilliance of Newcastle's home-grown SAS force which lit up a bitterly cold night at St James' Park.
Hot shot: Newcastle's Gabriel Obertan scores the winner
Match facts
Newcastle: Harper, Perch, Santon, Steven Taylor, Ferguson (Cabaye 80), Obertan, Tiote, Bigirimana, Anita (Shola Ameobi 46), Sammy Ameobi (Coloccini 73), Cisse. Subs Not Used: Krul, Ben Arfa, Ba, Campbell.
Booked: Tiote,Bigirimana.
Goals: Obertan 48.
Bruges: Jorgacevic, Hogli, Hoefkens, Buysse, Jordi, Odjija Ofoe, Jorgensen, Blondel (Van Acker 83), Rafaelov (Trickovski 55), Bacca, Lestienne. Subs Not Used: Kujovic, Vleminckx, Vazquez, Vansteenkiste, Engels.
Booked: Blondel, Odjija Ofoe.
Att: 33,124
Ref: Martin Hansson (Sweden)
Pardew abandoned his plan to unleash Ameobi brothers Shola and Sammy on Belgian league leaders FC Bruges, starting with Senegal striker Papiss Cisse, who squandered several chances to add to his two goals this season.
It took three minutes of the second half, after Shola's introduction for Vurnon Anita, for the pair to combine and create the opening for former Manchester United forward Obertan to score his first of the season.
Their unconvential one-two started midway inside the Newcastle half when Sammy flicked the ball in the air over Jesper Jorgensen to his brother with his heel. Shola responded with a similar aerial flick to play the ball back to Sammy, who brought the ball to earth.
As Obertan sprinted off to their right, Sammy's pass found him in full flow, referee Martin Hansson playing a crucial advantage as the youngster was brought crashing to earth by Jonathan Blondel's late challenge. Obertan then obliged with a lethal finish, smashing the ball inside the far post.
First up: It was Obertan's first goal of the season
The win means Newcastle sit three points clear in Group D after Maritimo held main challengers Bordeaux to a 1-1 draw. If Pardew's men win the re-match in Belgium in a fortnight, and Maritimo fail to win theirs, Newcastle will be in the last 32.
Pardew said: 'We are going to need to grab something there and Bruges away will be difficult. They showed they are a good side. We have got ourselves in a good position in the group, we knew we had a chance of getting seven points and that really bodes well.
'We have approached this competition in the right manner and got our reward. Bruges have some outstanding players and this is a big win for us, make no mistake. We have really strong competition now, which is excellent. When you are a senior player and you see a great young player pushing, it boosts you and it is great for spirit.'
Going over: Sammy Ameobie is fouled by Bruges' Jonathan Blondel
Although Newcastle had to survive a couple of scares — Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini made important late headers and 12-goal hitman Carlos Bacca headed over with the goal open in front of him — they were comfortable winners.
Pardew's side are now unbeaten in 24 games in this competition, and, in fact, have lost only twice on Tyneside since their first entry more than 40 years ago.
'This is an intimidating stadium for foreign teams,' the Newcastle manager said. 'We had a great crowd again, on an ugly night, and it was nice to see us squeeze past.'
High jump: Newcastle's Shane Ferguson evades a tackle
Head boy: Newcastle's Papiss Cisse
Pardew turned to Cisse, who had started Sunday's wear-Tyne derby at Sunderland on the bench, and the Senegal striker could have had a first half hat-trick. The first chance came via the sweet left foot of young left-back Shane Ferguson, who floated a cross into the striker's direction which was met with a thumping header, Bruges keeper Bojan Jorgacevic instinctively clawing it to safety.
Ferguson found his range supporting down the left flank and played another flighted pass into the the penalty area for Cisse, which the Senegal hitman also put off target.
'Ferguson could peel oranges with his left foot,' purred Pardew.
Cisse's final opportunity of the first half, after Sammy Ameobi had beaten four men and dragged one shot wide, came in injury time when he seized on a loose ball from Gael Bigirimana's hard work just outside the area and let fly with a fierce right foot shot which Jorgacevic parried brilliantly away.
Brothers in arms: Sammy Ameobi (above) and Shola (below)
Newcastle had claims for a penalty turned down after Bruges captain Carl Hoefkens appeared to shove Cisse in the back.
Bruges, buoyed by the constant support of more than 2,500 visiting fans, had their chances, mainly thanks to unhappy Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote, whose reward for his three-match Premier League ban, following his derby day dismissal, was a starting place.
He was guilty of the early lazy pass to Maxime Lestienne who skipped past Davide Santon on the left before unleashing a wicked shot which skipped off the sodden turf and forced Steve Harper to save.
Tiote gave away possession again to Lestienne before the break but his shot cannoned off stand-in captain Taylor and flew for a corner.
Living in cuckoo land, a half decent euro team will take them apart and show them up for what they are worth., 2nd rate will never achieve anything. The last time they won anything of note was 1969, I'm not a Mackem supporter but they won the Cup in 1973. No doubt the ''Red Thumbs'' brigade will lock onto to these comments, but it's all true, read it and weep.
- CF104 muscrat90 , Gateshead, 26/10/2012 00:56
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