SIR Bobby Robsopn rested three of his big guns for the UEFA Cup first round second leg meeting with NAC Breda in the MyCom Stadium.
Alan Shearer was the most notable absentee, and he was joined on the bench by fellow regulars Gary Speed and Shay Given.
Shearer was reploaced in attack by Shola Ameobi, with Hugo Viana lining up in a role just behind the striker and Jermaine Jenas given a role in the centre of midfield.
Kieron Dyer led the United side out wearing the European change kit in Shearer's absence, and even though their own coach had admitted before the game that his side needed a "miracle", the Breda fans were in fine voice as the game got underway.
Harper was called into action inside the first 20 seconds when Elmander tried to lob him after Koning's long ball, then immediately at the other end Viana tested goalkeeper Babos from 20 yards.
The first few minutes were played at a furious pace, with United twice winning corners after quick breaks down the left, and Breda going close to taking the lead on six minutes with a Elmander free kick from 25 yards that flew just wide.
Engelaar then brought a save out of Harper with a low left foot drive, then in United's next attack good pressure from Ameobi forced Penders to concede a corner but Gudelj headed Viana's flag kick away.
Ameobi's solo run on 13 minutes saw him weave his way into the penalty area, but he was shackled by Gudelj and Breda cleared their lines.
A minute later the United striker was fouled wide on the left by Penders to give United a free kick a yard in from the byeline, but Robert's inswinger was punched away by Babos.
A good spell of pressure from Breda just after the quarter hour mark saw them win a couple of corners and send a succession of crosses in from both flanks, but United defended well.
As the opening period reached the half way stage, play was evenly balanced though clear cut chances were few and far between at either end.
Dyer's 20 yard strike on 27 minutes was too high to trouble Babos, then the goalkeeper needed lengthy treatment after colliding with Bramble as the United defender tried to get on the end of Solano's cross from the right.
Play was held up for three minutes, and with Babos unable to continue he was eventually replaced by reserve goalkeeper Coutinho. Robert tried his luck from distance when play resumed, but his dipping half volley looped onto the roof of the net.
Bramble's foul on Engelaar gave the hosts a free kick in a central position 22 yards out, but the free kick was fired straight into the wall. Moments later Penders headed just wide after Seedorf crossed the ball in from the right hand flank.
Koning almost broke the deadlock on 41 minutes, but his header from Seedorf's free kick came back off Harper's right hand post and the teams went in at the interval all square at 0-0.
United had a scare inside the opening minute of the second half when Elmander chased sa lonbg ball. Harper's attempted clearance spun back into the danger area but with the goalkeeper well out of position Jenas got back to clear before any Breda players reacted.
At the other end Solano's cross was met by Ameobi on the back post, but he could divert the ball on target and the chance went begging.
Slot's deliberate handball gave Newcastle a free kick 25 yards out on 52 minutes, and after the midfielder was cautioned for arguing over the referee's decision to book him, Robert's free kick went through the wall but deflected off one of his team-mates for a goal kick.
NAC should have taken the lead a minute later when Collen's quick free kick sent Elmander free down the left. He made ground before sending a low cross to Seedorf who was racing in at the back post but he failed to get a touch.
Bramble became the first Newcastle player cautioned on 61 minutes after a foul on Stam, then four minutes later Koning's shot was well off target when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box after a right wing corner.
With the game crying out for something or someone to liven up proceedings, Breda made a double switch on 69 minutes, with Barakat and Vos replacing Koning and Boussaboun
Solano had a half chance on 71 minutes when he latched onto Dyer's pull back, then at the other end Jenas got in a timely tackle to deny Engelaar just as he was about to pull the trigger 12 yards out. At first it looked as though the referee had pointed to the spot, but in fact he was awarding a goal kick - much top the anger of the vociferous home fans.
With 12 minutes left to go Solano was replaced by Darren Ambrose and Steve Caldwell came on for Bramble.
A miknute later Coutinho made a fine block to keep out Dyer from close range after Ameobi had pulled the ball back into his path, then Caldwell got inj the way of Stam's powerful drive from the edge of the box when play quickly switched to the other end.
On 84 minutes LuaLua replaced Dyer,. and seconds later Bernard was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to tug at Stam as he tried to get on the end of Seedorf's cross. The home fans and players bothy appealed, but the Norwegian referee was having none of it.
On 86 minutes the deadlock was finally broken when Jenas threaded a great ball through to Robert, and with just the goalkeeper to beat the Frenchman made no mistake with a neat left foot finish.
Breda had a free kick on the edge of the dee two minutes after falling behind, but Slot's effort curled well wide of the target.
Bernard was booked for a foul on Stam on 88 minutes, then LuaLua tested the goalkeeper with a 25 yard strike after making space for himself. Seconds later LuaLua looked a certain scorer when Ameobi slid the ball across the face of goal, but his effort came off the upright.
Harper made a good save in the final minute when he dived low to smother Elmander's cross at the feet of Seedorf.
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06.09.2008 - Official NUFC Statement: September 6
