Anzhi Makhachkala v Newcastle

Anzhi Makhachkala 0

FT 90 +4
HT 0-0

Anzhi Makhachkala"s Yuri Zhirkov (L) with Newcastle United"s Gabriel Obertan

By Aimee Lewis BBC Sport

A robust defensive performance earned Newcastle a goalless draw in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League tie against Anzhi Makhachkala.

The only shot of a lacklustre first half came from Samuel Eto'o, who tested Rob Elliot with a long-range strike.

Both teams improved after the break, with a fabulous low save from Elliot preventing Eto'o from scoring.

Newcastle responded and would have gone ahead had Hatem Ben Arfa not shot straight at Vladimir Gabulov.

It was the closest Newcastle, shorn of six regular members of the first team, came to piercing a defence which has conceded only one goal in the competition so far.

But it will be his team's defensive display, during what was a forgettable match, which will please Pardew the most.

The Magpies had scouts keeping tabs on the wealthy Russians for almost three weeks before the tie and even sent former striker Peter Beardsley to Moscow last week to inspect the synthetic pitch.

Anzhi playing away from home

Anzhi are based in Dagestan but the overspill of guerrilla war from neighbouring Chechnya means they must play European games 1,000 miles away in the Russian capital.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew also studied DVDs of the two Europa League group matches between Liverpool and Anzhi earlier in the season.

Guus Hiddink's men beat the Anfield club 1-0 through brawn rather than beauty in Russia, but they were unable to bully a spirited Newcastle in freezing conditions at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Newcastle's homework had paid dividends and with Pardew having already described playing next week's second leg at St James' Park as an advantage, the Magpies have hope against Hiddink's start-studded team.

The visitors defended deep, often with nine players inside their own half, and suffocated talents such as former Barcelona striker Eto'o and ex-Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Even though possession belonged to Anzhi, the Russians lacked adventure and a long-range dipping strike from Eto'o in the 39th minute - pushed over the crossbar by the underemployed Elliot - was the only attempt at goal from either side before the break.

Anzhi had started well, with the swift, intelligent movement of Willian, a £30m January signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, promising to pose a stern examination to Newcastle's defenders.

But once the Brazilian playmaker departed the field in the 22nd minute after falling awkwardly while under a challenge from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Anzhi's attacking thrust seemed to disappear too.

The Magpies were as timid as the hosts in the final third, although lone striker Ben Arfa, making his first appearance in 12 weeks, did squander a fabulous chance.

Ben Arfa, set free by captain Yohan Cabaye, was unable to mark his 26th birthday with a goal, chipping instead into the hands of Vladimir Gabulov.

The Frenchman's opportunity came a couple of minutes after Elliot had stretched every sinew to stop a 25-yard effort from Eto'o in the 60th minute.

Ben Arfa was substituted within minutes of missing his chance and the 26-year-old's shot proved not only to be his final act of the match, but the last significant opening in a yawn-inducing game.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew:

"It was an absolutely outstanding performance, on a pitch and in conditions that really didn't suit us.

"Our technical players played really well. We controlled the game and limited them to two shots on target and I'm delighted with that.

"We've given ourselves an opportunity to win at home and I fancy us against anybody at home. This is an optimum competition for us."

Anzhi Makhachkala's assistant coach Zeljko Petrovic:

"We played a very complicated game against a team from the Premier League.

"We are not disappointed because we played a good game, tactically a very strong game. Newcastle actually didn't play a Premier League game, they played a European game."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Anzhi Makhachkala

01 Gabulov
02 Yeschenko (Logashov - 90' )
05 Carlos
37 Ewerton
08 Jucilei
14 Shatov (Gonzalez - 84' )
18 Zhirkov
25 Ahmedov
85 Diarra
88 Willian (Traore - 22' )
09 Eto'o

Substitutes

22 Pomazan
03 Gadzhibekov
13 Tagirbekov
15 Logashov
16 Gonzalez
19 Traore
20 Smolov

Newcastle United

21 Elliot
05 Simpson
13 Yanga-M'Biwa
14 Perch
35 Haidara Booked
04 Cabaye (Tiote - 84' )
07 Sissoko
08 Anita (S Taylor - 75' )
10 Ben Arfa (Sh Ameobi - 64' )
22 Marveaux
25 Obertan

Substitutes

42 Alnwick
03 Santon
27 S Taylor
20 Bigirimana
24 Tiote
23 Sh Ameobi
49 Campbell

Ref: Vad

Att: 5,000

Match Stats

Possession 57 43

Shots

9 4

On target

3 1

Corners

6 2

Fouls

9 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:03 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +2:28

Shot on goal by Steven Taylor from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

90:00 +1:44

The referee blows for offside against Lacina Traore. Rob Elliot takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:19

Silva Jucilei takes a shot. Blocked by James Perch.

89:48 Substitution

Substitution Arseni Logashov is brought on as a substitute for Andrei Yeschenko.

86:49

Samuel Eto'o takes a shot. Comfortable save by Rob Elliot.

86:49

Samuel Eto'o takes a shot. Comfortable save by Vladimir Gabulov.

86:04

The ball is delivered by Danny Simpson, Andrei Yeschenko makes a clearance.

83:48 Substitution

Substitution Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez on for Oleg Shatov.

83:37 Substitution

Substitution Cheick Tiote comes on in place of Yohan Cabaye.