Sir Bobby Robson last night dismissed suggestions that Newcastle have handed Marseille the initiative in their UEFA Cup semi-final clash.

The Magpies will travel to the south of France in a fortnight's time with the tie on a knife-edge after a tense first leg finished goalless at St James' Park.

The celebrations of the Marseille players at the final whistle suggested they believe they have assumed the upper hand by shutting out Newcastle on their own soil.

But, with the Magpies not having lost an away game in Europe this season, Robson remains bullish about Newcastle's prospects of making their first European final since 1969.

"I don't think Marseille are the favourites," said the Newcastle boss. "I think the match is wide-open and equal.

"In all honesty, I don't think 0-0 is that bad a result. It's not a great result - a 2-0 win would have been a great result - but it's not a bad one.

"The game is there to be won, but someone's going to have to score a goal to win it. I think we've got as much chance of doing that as Marseille.

"It's going to be a great match because there's nothing between the two teams - it might even go to penalties."

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer was similarly upbeat about Marseille's inability to score a potentially crucial away goal.

Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba came closest with a shot that cannoned off the inside of the post, but a score draw in France would now be enough to take Newcastle through

"It was a very good performance from us," said Shearer. "Our main priority was not to concede and we did that.

"We always fancy ourselves to score goals away from home and I'm sure we can do that in the second leg."

Robson was forced to name a patched-up side for last night's game with Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer all missing out because of injury.

Shola Ameobi partnered Alan Shearer up front after passing a late fitness test on his thigh and, after missing training for more than a week, the striker created the best opening of the game before the break.

"I was delighted with Shola's performance because he hasn't been able to train at all," said Robson. "He's had to go into the game totally unprepared physically.

"But he did that for us and, thankfully, his thigh has held up very well.

"He's had to go off before the end, but that had nothing to do with his thigh.

"His whole body went into muscular cramps and he just wasn't able to go on. He'll get over that though, which is important because we can't afford any more injuries.

"I don't suppose for a moment that Dyer, Bellamy or Jenas will be able to play in the second leg. I think their injuries will take them beyond that even though it's a couple of weeks away."

* Villareal and Valencia drew 0-0 in last night's other semi-final tie.

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