PROGRESSING in the UEFA Cup may not be the perfect way to fianlly kick-start Newcastle United's own domestic campaign.

But after this convincing 5-0 first-leg thumping of NAC Breda at St James' Park, hopes are now high that the Magpies can finally go about recapturing their incredible form of last season.

Up until last night, Newcastle have had to rely heavily on the goalscoring prowess of the legendary Alan Shearer.

Against Dutch side Breda, though, there was no need. The game had already been wrapped up with goals from Craig Bellamy and Titus Bramble before skipper Shearer got in on the act.

To add insult to injury for Breda, substitute Darren Ambrose added a fifth just a minute before the final whistle.

Bellamy revealed before the game he was aiming to break his duck against the unfancied Dutch side.

Without a goal in ten games - a run stretching back to March 22 - the 24-year-old struck twice in six first-half minutes to put Sir Bobby Robson's men in the driving seat.

And after the restart powerful defender Titus Bramble, enjoying a new lease of life, secured victory with his first goal for the club since his £5m switch from Ipswich Town.

The triumph was their first on home soil since May 3 and their first in any form since the Champions League qualifier victory in Belgrade.

Newcastle can now travel to Holland for the return leg on October 15 knowing a place in the second round is all but assured.

For more than an hour before kick-off the majority of the 3,500-plus Dutch fans who had made the trip to Tyneside were inside St James' Park.

If the Newcastle supporters were not over-enthusiastic about a run in the UEFA Cup, the visitors certainly were.

And the Breda faithful were determined to make sure they enjoyed their first adventure in Europe for 30 years.

Newcastle, without Nolberto Solano, who was rested after picking up a slight groin strain, didn't start like a team short of confidence.

It was at least four minutes before the away side enjoyed a short spell of possession.

But it was Breda - buoyed by their weekend success over Dutch giants Ajax - who had the first meaningful break. Laurent Robert's sloppy pass fell to the feet of Arne Slot.

Slot found quick winger Anouar Diba but, after leaving Bramble in his wake, his cross was well cleared by the rest of the Newcastle back-line.

That lapse in concentration from Robert seemed to spur him into action and the £10m man made a number of dazzling runs down the left flank.

The home supporters' long wait for a goal very nearly came through an unlikely source.

Full-back Aaron Hughes' free-kick from the half-way line was of no danger to the Breda defence until skipper Rob Penders' attempted clearance had to be tipped over by goalkeeper Gabor Babos.

Newcastle did not have to wait too much longer until they found the net to silence the travelling contingent.

Andy O'Brien's free-kick from inside his own half was flicked into the path of Bellamy by skipper Shearer. With just the goalkeeper to beat, Bellamy cheekily chipped over Babos to end the club's and his own personal goal drought on 31 minutes.

The relief felt by the players could be sensed immediately and they deservedly doubled their lead six minutes later in fantastic fashion.

A quick, flowing move started when Bramble won the ball with a crunching challenge on Breda front-man Johan Elmander.

Kieron Dyer picked up the loose ball and ran 15 yards before playing an incisive through ball to Robert.

The Frenchman, enjoying a particularly eventful evening, was unmarked but he unselfishly crossed to Bellamy, who had the simple task of tapping in his, and Newcastle's, second.

Robert - told to improve his performances by Robson prior to the Bolton match - continually tormented full-back Csaba Feher.

And it was another of the ex-Paris St Germain star's forays down the line that nearly added a third.

However, Babos was on hand to deny Robert his first goal in nine outings.

Despite the scoreline, Breda could have clawed their way back into the encounter before half-time but Shay Given was in no mood to concede.

The Irishman made two world-class saves to deny Elmander's low shot and then Tamas Peto's terrific long-range effort, which was heading straight for the top corner until the diving Given's right hand intervened.

Newcastle never really looked like facing another defeat and after the restart Bellamy very nearly had a hat-trick as he hit the bar.

Just before the hour mark, Newcastle made it three when Bramble rose at the near post to head a Robert corner powerfully beyond Babos.

And 13 minutes from time, not to be outdone, Shearer rifled a low, 25-yard drive beyond the helpless keeper after Robert's quick free-kick.

Substitute Ambrose rounded things off a minute from time when he headed in another excellent Robert centre to grab his first goal for Newcastle.

Result: Newcastle United 5 NAC Breda 0.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.