Newcastle United Into Europa League Quarter Finals With 1-0 Victory Over Anzhi

Newcastle United came into the second leg of their Europa League tie with Anzhi Makhachkala needing a victorious result to advance into the quarterfinals of Europe's second competition. On the weight of the first half, you wouldn't have known it. Even though the home side would garner 59% of the first-half possession, it was clearly the visitors who were creating the best of play and getting the better goal scoring opportunities. An aggravation of Yohan Cabaye's groin injury did not help matters, and he was withdrawn for Jonas Gutierrez in the 37th minute. But for an heroic performance from Steven Taylor with block after block, we could/should have been down at halftime.

Typically, Newcastle were better in the second half than they were in the first (it's always one or the other, isn't it?), and started looking very good. Like 2011-12 good. You would have been forgiven for thinking that Newcastle would have had the way paved ahead for them when Anzhi defender Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez picked up his second yellow card in quick order. Steven Taylor would scuff a shot directly at the Anzhi keeper off of a loose ball from a corner kick and Cheik Tiote would blaze over from just outside the box, but Anzhi would create the best chance of the second half when Mbark Boussoufa (who frankly had been pretty anonymous all match) crashed a free-kick from just outside the box against the cross bar. It looked for all intents and purposes like the match was headed into extra time, until:

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A lovely ball crossed from Sylvain Marveaux found Papiss Cissé in the middle of the Anzhi penalty area at the six yard box and he made absolutely no mistake. This is what beauty looks like:

New1ANZ0 by adrisamu

As Cissé was celebrating the goal, the ref blew the final whistle and a very dangerous match has become a very famous night at St. James' Park.