Newcastle United: Top five European matches in club history

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BASEL, SWITZERLAND – NOVEMBER 6: Shola Ameobi of Newcastle celebrates scoring the winner during the UEFA Cup second round match between FC Basel and Newcastle United at the St Jakob Park stadium on November 6, 2003 in Basel, Switzerland.(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

2003-04 UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg (Newcastle United 2 – PSV Eindhoven 1)

Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson helped to re-introduce a winning edge at St. James’ Park when he was appointed in 1999, taking a struggling side back towards the top of English football. In the 2003-04 campaign (ultimately Robson’s last on Tyneside), the Magpies were near the top of Europe as well.

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The UEFA Cup quarter-final stage brought a meeting with PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands, and fans were cautiously hopeful for a place in the final four. A 1-1 first-leg draw had it all to play for at St. James’ Park. Against his former side, Robson would be able to provide some magic.

Simply reliable as Newcastle’s all-time goalscorer in European competitions (30), the great Alan Shearer would give the Magpies an early advantage in the ninth minute. The equaliser came in the second half, but the home side would not be denied.

Gary Speed bagged the eventual winner soon after, with goalkeeper Shay Given’s heroics keeping PSV from finding late joy.

The final whistle brought both relief and wild celebrations in the North East, with United advancing to their first European semi-final in 35 years.

That round against Marseille would bring excitement (especially after a first-leg draw), but the club would not make it to the cup final.

Especially considering the manner in which Sir Bobby Robson would depart only months later, it is appropriate to recall the manager for this fantastic achievement.

A strong argument could be made for this fixture to be higher in the list, and Newcastle fans can all agree that it is remembered fondly.

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