Ameobi keeps Newcastle top
CLUB BRUGES 2 vs NEWCASTLE UNITED 2
NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew hailed the impact of forward Sammy Ameobi after his side scored two goals in three minutes during a frantic first half in Brugge to snatch a point in the Europa League.
The Belgian side went ahead on 14 minutes when a long ball caught out Fabricio Coloccini, enabling Ivan Trickovski to send Tim Krul the wrong way. Matters got worse for Newcastle five minutes later when Jesper Jorgensen scuffed a low drive from the edge of the area.
Magpies midfielder Vurnon Anita clawed the away side back into the match with a sweet looping volley from outside the penalty area on 41 minutes before Ameobi teed up brother Shola to poke the equaliser moments later.
“It was a great little turn from Sammy,” said Pardew. “He has just got this way of getting out of corners that I have not seen many players being able to get out of. He wriggles out of situations.”
Both sides had opportunities to win the match but the point keeps Pardew’s side at the top of Group D and edges them closer to reaching the knockout stage.