FC Basel 2: Cantaluppi 12, Chipperfield 15
Newcastle Utd 3: Robert 13, Bramble 38, Ameobi 76


United: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Bramble, Bernard, Solano, Speed, Jenas, Robert, Shearer, Ameobi  Subs (not used): Harper, Ambrose, LuaLua, Chopra, Caldwell, Dabizas, Viana

FC Basel: Zuberbuhler, Zwyssig, Huggel, Streller, H Yakin, Gininez, M yakin, Cantaluppi, Degen, Atouba, Chipperfield  Subs (not used): Quennoz, Claudihno, Barberis, Rapo, Degen, Smiljanic, Rossi

Referee: Tom Henning (Norway)

Attendance: to follow...

ANDY O'Brien and Nobby Solano were both back in the starting line up for the UEFA Cup second round first leg clalsh against FC Basel in the St Jakob Stadium.

O'Brien replaced Steve Caldwell at the heart of defence, while Solano came back into midfield at the expense of the banned Lee Bowyer.

There was a good atmoshere in the impressive stadium ahead of kick off, with around 1,000 United fans housed in the corner of the ground.

Basel had the first chance of the game on two minutes when Murat Yakin created space for a shot on the edge of the box, but his curler went wide, then at the other end Bramble headed Robert's free kick over the bar after a foul on Shearer.

Giminez had a great chance to open the scoring on eight minutes after some good play from Chipperfield on the right, but he couldn't keep his 14 yard effort down.

But Basle did take the lead on 12 minutes when Cantaluppi found the top corner with a 25 yard drive after United had only half cleared a cross from the left.

Within a minute though United were level, with Robert finding the bottom corner after Ameobi's pass to record his third goal in three games.

Amazingly Basle were back in front on 15 minutes, with Chipperfield rifling the ball past Given after another corner was only cleared to the edge of the box.

But United drew level again on 38 minutes with Bramble scoring following Robert's corner.

The luck was with Newcastle just before half time as Gimenez hit the post with a header with Given beaten.

On 76 minutes United take the lead for the first time as Ameobi finishes following a pass from Solano.

Darren Ambrose replaces Solano in midfield on 85 minutes.

On 89 minutes Hugo Viana comes on for United's first scorer Robert who had picked up a knock.


Full Time FC Basel 2 - Newcastle United 3