SHOLA AMEOBI gave Newcastle United a precious UEFA Cup victory here in Basel last night after a schizophrenic performance from Sir Bobby Robson's side.

Ameobi scored the winning goal in the 75th minute as Newcastle, who twice trailed to FC Basel, improved on Celtic and Liverpool's efforts in the Swiss city last season.

Those two clubs' Champions League campaigns foundered at St Jakob Park, but despite a poor defensive display Newcastle put one foot in the UEFA Cup third round.

Basel, who have dropped just two points from 16 League games this season, wasted a series of chances to put the tie beyond Newcastle.

And they paid a heavy price for their profligacy when the Magpies capitalised on a mistake from Basel defender Thimothee Atouba to win the first leg.

His sloppy pass put Basel under pressure and good work from Jermaine Jenas and Nobby Solano enabled Ameobi to shrug off Marco Zwyssig's challenge and drill his 12-yard shot past goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler.

But Newcastle flew out of Switzerland last night still wondering how they had left the country with a one-goal advantage to take into the second leg on November 27.

They fell behind for the first time after 11 minutes, Jenas twice failing to clear his lines and Mario Cantaluppi lashing a 30-yard drive into the top corner.

Two minutes later Newcastle were level, man of the match Laurent Robert equalising from 20 yards after a swift attack and a precise pass from Ameobi.

But only another 120 seconds had elapsed when Basel went 2-1 up, Chipperfield scoring with a shot from the edge of the box that was deflected past Shay Given by Jenas after Newcastle had dealt poorly with a long throw.

Robson has repeatedly backed his defenders in the face of staunch criticism.

But yesterday was a flashback to those horrendous performances at Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers last season.

Given was left woefully exposed by his teammates, who floundered as Basel's movement and pace created a succession of presentable chances.

Certainly, Jenas offered minimal protection to his back four as he seemed to be labouring from an injury scare that necessitated a fitness test shortly before kick-off.

Hakan Yakin, earmarked by Robson as Basel's main dangerman, did not have a major say in proceedings and was withdrawn shortly before the hour mark.

But Newcastle could not contain Australian midfielder Chipperfield, who caused the visitors a welter of problems on both flanks as well as scoring Basel's second goal after 15 frenetic minutes.

Just as the Swiss League leaders time and again cut a swathe through the Magpies defence, however, so Newcastle picked holes in their hosts' rearguard.

Although Alan Shearer's influence was limited as he became embroiled in an arm wrestle with Basel captain Murat Yakin, Newcastle carried plenty of threat through the lively Robert.

One Robert raid down the inside left channel led to his goal, another surge forward was cut short by a body check that earned Philipp Degen a booking, and a pinpoint cross from the France winger was headed wastefully wide by Ameobi.

But Newcastle's forays forward did not paper over the cracks that Basel exploited whenever they put their opponents under the slightest pressure.

Basic errors, such as gifting free headers to Basel strikers Christian Gimenez and Julio Hernan Rossi, were littered throughout Newcastle's display.

Robson favoured experience over youth in his team selection, which made Newcastle's defensive naivete even more inexcusable.

Instead of staying solid and trying to frustrate Basel, they allowed the home team to carve out chance after chance in a performance that was the antithesis of what Robson had demanded.

Hakan Yakin and Gimenez had both spurned good opportunities by the time Cantaluppi put Basel in front.

The response from Newcastle was immediate through Robert, but having secured a precious away goal they did not take the sting out of the game and handed the initiative straight back to Basel.

Marco Streller and Gimenez went close to extending their side's lead before Newcastle, who were worried on the eve of the match about the threat Basel would pose at set-pieces, scored from a corner.

This time it was Basel who failed to clear their lines following Robert's 37th-minute flag-kick and Bramble sent a first-time shot through Zuberbuhler's legs from eight yards.

Having worked so hard to get a foothold in the game, Newcastle almost went behind again just four minutes later, but Gimenez's header from Chipperfield's splendid cross struck a post with Given beaten.

Newcastle were much better in the second half, though they should still have been punished after offering Basel a handful of openings.

Given's goal had a charmed life, Solano hacking a Murat Yakin header off the line and against Aaron Hughes's chest before the ball fell kindly for the Irish keeper.

But Basel always looked vulnerable at the back and Ameobi's cool finish ensured Newcastle headed back to England with three away goals and the lead to take into the second leg.

Result: Basle 2, Newcastle United 3.

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