Newcastle produced another of their great European nights with a stunning 3-2 win away to the Swiss champions-elect FC Basel.
Currently 12 points clear in their domestic competition with just two games remaining, Christian Gross' side led Sir Bobby Robson's men on two occasions, but it was not enough in this classic first leg encounter.
Basel scored with a stunning Mario Cantaluppi goal after 11 minutes and scored again just four minutes later through Scott Chipperfield.
In between Laurent Robert equalised, before Titus Bramble levelled it for a second time to leave it 2-2 at the break.
United were by far the better side in the second half and Shola Ameobi settled the issue with an excellent individual goal after 75 minutes.
Newcastle were expecting an early surge and true to form it came as Hakan Yakin fired wide after two minutes, before Argentinian striker Christian Gimenez was unable to keep down a cross from Chipperfield.
A quick Robert free-kick found Bramble, but the big defender was also unable to get his header on target.
The Swiss side stormed in front after 11 minutes with a goal of stunning quality from Cantaluppi, powering the ball beyond Shay Given from almost 30 yards.
United showed their own quality with an equally impressive equaliser within three minutes.
All credit to Ameobi, who played in the surging Robert who, despite being under pressure, pressed forward to the edge of the box before driving across the keeper.
The celebrations were soon cut short as Basel were quickly back in front when Chipperfield let fly from the edge of the area, and the Aussie's effort took a deflection off Jermaine Jenas and wrong-footed Given.
Bramble made an excellent challenge to deny Gimenez after 33 minutes and it proved crucial, as the United defender levelled four minutes later - popping up at the other end to expertly sweep in a Robert corner.
The woodwork then came to United's rescue just before the break when Gimenez was left unmarked but could only direct Chipperfield's cross against the upright.
United had a let off on the hour when substitute Julio Rossi - only on the pitch 20 seconds - saw a shot scrambled off the line by Nobby Solano whose clearance struck Aaron Hughes and was grabbed by the grateful Given.
The Geordie contingent then went wild with delight when United struck the winner 15 minutes from time.
Timothee Atouba's careless pass was picked up by Solano, who fed Ameobi, and the young striker had the guile to take on and beat central defender Marco Zwyssig before slipping the ball under the keeper and into the net to leave United in the driving seat for the second leg.