Haris Vuckic's long-range goal helped Newcastle beat Atromitos to reach the Europa League group stages.

Newcastle lost their goalscorer from the first leg, Ryan Taylor, to a serious-looking knee injury early on.

But his replacement, Vuckic, struck a diagonal shot for his first Newcastle goal to earn the lead after 21 minutes.

Tim Krul was fortunate to stay on the pitch after he brought down Chumbinho in the penalty box and Elini Dimoutsos wasted a late chance as he fired wide.

Who is Haris Vuckic?

  • Slovenian Vuckic signed for Newcastle from NK Domzale in January 2009 aged 16
  • He made his first-team debut in the 2009-10 season but broke his hand the following season after making his Premier League bow
  • In February 2012 he went on loan to Cardiff where he scored his first goal in English football
  • His first goal for Newcastle came in their Europa League tie against Atromitos

Denis Epstein also shot over as the Greek side finished strongly, but overall Newcastle enjoyed a relatively comfortable night as they qualified for the next round on their first European foray in more than five years.

Alan Pardew's side will face far sterner tests in this competition, but there were encouraging performances from Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux on either wing.

The pair caused havoc down the flanks and were one of seven changes made to the team following Newcastle's defeat at Chelsea, with Marveaux testing Atromitos keeper Charles Itandje early on after James Perch curled wide.

Vuckic's introduction on 11 minutes came after Taylor was injured by skipping over a challenge and then collapsing as his knee seemed to give way.

It looked like it could be a grave problem, but 20-year-old Vuckic wasted little time in putting Newcastle in front when he collected Danny Simpson's throw-in from the right, moved inside and lashed a shot into the bottom corner via a deflection off Matias Iglesias.

The Slovenian substitute could have added another, but despite the hosts holding the upper hand in the first half, Brazilian Chumbinho caused several moments of concern.

First, his shot was saved by Krul and then the Newcastle keeper evaded a red card and a penalty in the same moment when he brought down the Brazilian after he fumbled Denis Epstein's shot.

The referee decided to book the Atromitos forward instead.

Newcastle looked comfortable to begin with after the break and Obertan could have doubled the lead on the night, as former Liverpool keeper Itandje parried his firm shot.

But as the time ticked away, the visitors grew more dangerous and they missed a golden chance when Iglesias's shot was deflected into the path of Dimoutsos, but he blazed wide of the post from an angle about 10 yards out.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew: "It looks like Ryan Taylor has picked up a bad knock, and I might now have to speak to the chairman because we might need to bring someone in on the back of that. Let's hope it's not as bad as we fear."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Newcastle United

  • 01 Krul
  • 02 Coloccini Booked
  • 05 Simpson
  • 06 Williamson
  • 14 Perch (Tavernier - 59' )
  • 16 R Taylor (Vuckic - 11' )
  • 15 Gosling
  • 20 Bigirimana
  • 22 Marveaux (Amalfitano - 90' )
  • 25 Obertan
  • 19 Ba

Substitutes

  • 37 Harper
  • 34 Tavernier
  • 04 Cabaye
  • 17 Amalfitano
  • 29 Vuckic
  • 09 Cisse
  • 49 Campbell

Atromitos

  • 01 Itandje
  • 02 Skondras
  • 03 Giannoulis
  • 06 Fitanidis
  • 24 Lazaridis
  • 07 Brito (Kuqi - 88' )
  • 17 Iglesias
  • 21 Dimoutsos (Garcia - 85' )
  • 08 Epstein
  • 20 Karamanos
  • 86 Chumbinho Booked (Beljic - 75' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 30 Radman
  • 04 Tavlaridis
  • 11 Beljic
  • 13 Nastos
  • 16 Balas
  • 09 Kuqi
  • 26 Garcia
Ref: Stephan Studer
Att: 29,242

Match Stats

Shots

17 9

On target

8 4

Corners

11 0

Fouls

13 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:58 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +2:54

Demba Ba takes a shot.

90:00 +0:56 Substitution

Substitution Romain Amalfitano joins the action as a substitute, replacing Sylvain Marveaux.

90:00 +0:30

Effort on goal by Denis Epstein from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

89:51

The offside flag is raised against Sylvain Marveaux. Sokratis Fitanidis takes the indirect free kick.

89:05

Sylvain Marveaux decides to take a short corner.

88:04

Dan Gosling takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

86:55

Free kick crossed left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux from right wing, Sebastian Garcia gets a block in.

86:55 Substitution

Substitution Eduardo Brito leaves the field to be replaced by Njazi Kuqi.

86:55

Free kick awarded for a foul by Eduardo Brito on Haris Vuckic.

86:04

Unfair challenge on Dan Gosling by Nikola Beljic results in a free kick. Fabricio Coloccini restarts play with the free kick.

85:10 Booking

Booking Nikola Beljic shown a yellow card.

84:10 Substitution

Substitution Sebastian Garcia joins the action as a substitute, replacing Elini Dimoutsos.

83:49

Effort on goal by Sylvain Marveaux from long distance goes over the crossbar.

82:39

Demba Ba challenges Nikos Lazaridis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Walter Iglesias takes the free kick.

82:07

Shot by Eduardo Brito from a long way out goes over the target.

81:30

Haris Vuckic crosses the ball, Nikos Lazaridis makes a clearance.

80:11

Gabriel Obertan crosses the ball.

78:07

Walter Iglesias takes a shot. Blocked by Sylvain Marveaux. Shot from close range by Elini Dimoutsos misses to the left of the target.

78:07

Nikola Beljic takes a shot. Sylvain Marveaux gets a block in. Elini Dimoutsos produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

77:38

Danny Simpson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Denis Epstein. Walter Iglesias takes the direct free kick.

77:22

Gabriel Obertan delivers the ball.

76:44

Anastasios Karamanos takes a long range shot clearing the bar.

75:13

Elini Dimoutsos takes the direct free kick.

75:13 Booking

Booking Booking for Fabricio Coloccini for unsporting behaviour.

75:09

Free kick awarded for a foul by Fabricio Coloccini on Elini Dimoutsos.

74:48

Corner taken by Sylvain Marveaux, Denis Epstein manages to make a clearance.

74:19 Substitution

Substitution Nikola Beljic replaces Da Silva Chumbinho.

72:45

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Haris Vuckic by Nikos Lazaridis. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Gael Bigirimana from left wing.

72:24

The ball is sent over by Giannis Skondras, Fabricio Coloccini makes a clearance.

70:49

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux from the left by-line, Demba Ba gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charles Itandje. Direct free kick taken by Charles Itandje.

70:38

Gabriel Obertan takes a shot. Save by Charles Itandje.

69:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Haris Vuckic on Walter Iglesias. Direct free kick taken by Nikos Lazaridis.

67:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Denis Epstein by James Tavernier. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Denis Epstein.

66:35

Haris Vuckic has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.

65:52

Gabriel Obertan is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Charles Itandje.

64:30

Sokratis Fitanidis challenges James Tavernier unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is sent over by Sylvain Marveaux, Fabricio Coloccini produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

62:14

Denis Epstein crosses the ball.

59:29

Sylvain Marveaux takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Denis Epstein.

58:50 Substitution

Substitution James Tavernier is brought on as a substitute for James Perch.

57:04

Walter Iglesias challenges Demba Ba unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sylvain Marveaux crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, Sokratis Fitanidis manages to make a clearance.

55:19

Da Silva Chumbinho fouled by James Perch, the ref awards a free kick. Denis Epstein delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing.

54:25

Mike Williamson challenges Konstantinos Giannoulis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Konstantinos Giannoulis.

53:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sylvain Marveaux by Giannis Skondras. Gael Bigirimana crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, blocked by Eduardo Brito.

51:43

The assistant referee signals for offside against Da Silva Chumbinho. Free kick taken by Tim Krul.

51:17

Shot by Demba Ba. Save made by Charles Itandje.

50:22

The referee blows for offside against Haris Vuckic. Indirect free kick taken by Giannis Skondras.

45:49

Corner taken by Sylvain Marveaux from the left by-line played to the near post.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +1:05 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

44:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Konstantinos Giannoulis by Gabriel Obertan. Da Silva Chumbinho fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

43:41

The referee blows for offside. Charles Itandje takes the indirect free kick.

42:39

Shot by Denis Epstein. Save by Tim Krul.

42:57 Booking

Booking Da Silva Chumbinho is booked.

42:39

Eduardo Brito takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Tim Krul.

41:23

Gabriel Obertan fouled by Elini Dimoutsos, the ref awards a free kick. Gael Bigirimana takes the free kick.

39:08

Gabriel Obertan crosses the ball, blocked by Nikos Lazaridis.

38:18

The ball is sent over by Gabriel Obertan, save made by Charles Itandje.

37:54

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux from the right by-line, save by Charles Itandje.

37:40

Gabriel Obertan takes a shot. Blocked by Eduardo Brito.

37:07

Inswinging corner taken by Gael Bigirimana, Charles Itandje makes a save.

36:40

A cross is delivered by Gabriel Obertan.

35:15

Centre by Gabriel Obertan, clearance by Nikos Lazaridis.

33:51

Inswinging corner taken by Sylvain Marveaux from the right by-line, Headed effort from inside the area by Demba Ba misses to the right of the goal.

33:00

Gabriel Obertan crosses the ball, save by Charles Itandje.

32:08

Dan Gosling takes a shot.

31:52

Haris Vuckic takes a shot. Blocked by Demba Ba.

31:21

The referee blows for offside against Konstantinos Giannoulis. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Krul.

27:12

A cross is delivered by Gabriel Obertan.

26:34

Effort from 20 yards by Demba Ba. Charles Itandje makes a save.

25:30

Haris Vuckic takes a shot. Nikos Lazaridis gets a block in.

24:25

Da Silva Chumbinho takes a shot. Save by Tim Krul.

24:25

Da Silva Chumbinho takes a shot. Tim Krul makes a save.

24:01

Effort from the edge of the box by Mike Williamson goes wide of the right-hand upright.

23:19

Corner taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux from the left by-line to the near post, Giannis Skondras manages to make a clearance.

23:11

The ball is swung over by Sylvain Marveaux, Giannis Skondras makes a clearance.

20:47

The assist for the goal came from Danny Simpson.

20:47 Goal scored

Goal - Haris Vuckic - Newcastle 1 - 0 Atromitos Haris Vuckic scores a goal from just outside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newcastle 1 (2)-(1) 0 Atromitos.

20:09

Haris Vuckic fouled by Elini Dimoutsos, the ref awards a free kick. Sylvain Marveaux takes the direct free kick.

18:45

Handball by Elini Dimoutsos. Free kick taken by Fabricio Coloccini.

17:38

Elini Dimoutsos is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Fabricio Coloccini restarts play with the free kick.

16:43

Demba Ba fouled by Sokratis Fitanidis, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by James Perch.

15:06

Corner taken left-footed by Gael Bigirimana from the right by-line, Demba Ba challenges Sokratis Fitanidis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charles Itandje takes the direct free kick.

14:46

The ball is sent over by Gabriel Obertan, Nikos Lazaridis manages to make a clearance.

11:11

Haris Vuckic concedes a free kick for a foul on Konstantinos Giannoulis. Konstantinos Giannoulis restarts play with the free kick.

10:24 Substitution

Substitution Haris Vuckic is brought on as a substitute for Ryan Taylor.

7:34

Corner taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux, Fabricio Coloccini gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anastasios Karamanos. Free kick taken by Charles Itandje.

7:20

Sylvain Marveaux produces a drilled left-footed shot from 12 yards. Charles Itandje makes a brilliant save.

5:29

Foul by James Perch on Denis Epstein, free kick awarded. Da Silva Chumbinho takes the free kick.

4:33

James Perch has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the goal.

3:56

Da Silva Chumbinho takes a shot. Save made by Tim Krul.

2:23

Centre by Gabriel Obertan.

2:13

Gabriel Obertan sends in a cross, Sokratis Fitanidis makes a clearance.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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