Newcastle beat Bordeaux to reach century in style

Newcastle United FC marked their 100th game in UEFA club competition with a 3-0 victory over FC Girondins de Bordeaux in UEFA Europa League Group D.

An early Shola Ameobi strike and an Henrique own goal in the first half were supplemented by Papiss Cissé's classy finish after the break as Newcastle became the first team to beat Francis Gillot's charges this term, condemning Bordeaux to a fifth straight defeat in England in the process.

After six years without European football at St James' Park, the home fans were audibly eager to make up for lost time, and the fervour that greeted kick-off hit fever pitch when Yohan Cabaye fired narrowly wide early on.

Unperturbed, the visitors carved out their own opportunity, but an unchallenged Ludovic Obraniak headed over Jaroslav Plašil's terrific centre. Newcastle had former Bordeaux player Gabriel Obertan to thank for their 16th-minute opener. The winger sprang past Mariano down the left and his low delivery gave Ameobi a simple back-post finish.

Playmaker Plašil and the skilful Henri Saivet helped Bordeaux control possession, but it was Newcastle who struck again five minutes before the interval. Right-back Danny Simpson was the provider as his cross was diverted past Cédric Carrasso by Henrique. The keeper was kept busy, and his palms were stung by Vurnon Anita close to half-time. 

Saivet almost caught Newcastle cold from the restart, his brilliantly improvised flick being rebuffed by a combination of Steve Harper's boot and the base of the post, yet the relentless hosts soon had their third. A left-wing centre from the impressive Shane Ferguson was allowed to bounce by Cissé, before he hooked a falling, first-time effort inside the right post.

Harper saved well from David Bellion in an otherwise untroubled conclusion to the match for Newcastle, who earned their seventh successive home win in Europe.