Newcastle punish nine-man Olympiakos
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-11 09:38

Newcastle United has taken a huge step towards the UEFA Cup quarter-finals after they beat nine-man Olympiakos Piraeus 3-1 at an intimidating Karaiskakis Stadium.

Newcastle United's Jermaine Jenas (R) challenges Giovanni of Olympiakos Piraeus in a UEFA Cup football match at the Karaiskaki stadium in Piraeus. Newcastle won 3-1. [AFP]

The Greek side, who were hoping for something better to celebrate the club's 80th birthday, played the entire second half with nine men after Grigoris Georgatos and Thanassis Kostoulas were sent off in the first 42 minutes on Thursday.

Georgatos was given a straight red in the 11th minute when he appeared to bundle over Kieron Dyer as the Newcastle player was angling in on goal.

Former England captain Alan Shearer fired home the penalty to give Newcastle the lead.

Four minutes later, however, Newcastle's Andy O'Brien was penalised for a shirt-pull in his own area and Predrag Djordjevic equalised from the penalty spot.

Newcastle regained the lead in the 34th minute when Laurent Robert was fouled on the edge of the Olympiakos area. The Frenchman got up and curled the free kick into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Things got worse for Olympiakos just before the break when Kostoulas was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

In spite of their numerical advantage, Newcastle never totally dominated the second half although Patrick Kluivert added a third in the 69th minute from close range to give them a comfortable cushion for the second leg at St James' Park.

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