Newcastle United 2 Levadia Tallinn 1

Last updated : 28 September 2006 By Footymad Previewer
An Obafemi Martins double, his first goals at St James' Park, fired Newcastle United into the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

United head to the five team group, to be drawn in Nyon next Tuesday, knowing that the top three teams will progress into the latter stages and vindicated their decision to try an qualify through the Intertoto Cup.

After an appalling first half, the much changed United sprang to life with some style after the break as Martins scored twice in three minutes and celebrated with some style.

His opener came after 47 minutes when he rose high and glanced Emre's corner across Estonian international keeper Artur Kontenko and celebrated with a somersault.

Kotenko by the way, actually played as outfield player in the Estonian Cup this season and scored four times in a runaway 24-0 win.

But keeping out goals were paramount on this occasion and Kotenko was fishing the ball out of the net again three minutes later as Martins rifled in a real screamer.

A deep cross from the right saw the hard-working Antoine Sibierski head the ball back to the edge of the box where Martins crashed a ferocious 20-yarder beyond the keeper and into the net off the underside of the bar.

Martins this time lapped up the applause of the home fans for what was his third goal in a black and white shirt with an acrobatic three somersaults as he milked his new found adoration.

Outclassed Levadia pulled back a goal after 64 minutes and keeper Steve Harper once again found himself in the spotlight and for the second successive midweek game must shoulder the blame when substitute Indrek Zelinski's downward header squirmed into the net.


Emre gave an excellent display in midfield before making way for Scott Parker ten minutes from time, but not before he had words on-field with Damien Duff and then stormed straight down the tunnel.