Newcastle United headed into this evening's Europa League second leg against Metalist Kharkiv knowing that a single goal would gift them a place in the final 16.
An assured start from the away side prevented Metalist from imposing their own game and a composed penalty from Shola Ameobi ensured that they took the lead in the second half.
While the home team kept knocking on the door, Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul managed to dispel any threat from the Ukrainian outfit to book a tie against Anzhi Makhachkala or Hannover.
5pmHello all! Today's the day when we find out who will progress into the next knockout round of the Europa League. While four Premier League clubs will learn their fate this evening, I'll be focusing on Newcastle's clash against Metalist.
5.02pmThe exciting aspect about tonight's game is that it truly is up for grabs considering that the first leg at St James' Park finished in a goalless draw, with the Magpies having two goals disallowed.
5.03pmWe'll come back to that later, but let's not wait around, I have team news to bring you...
5.05pmNEWCASTLE XI: Krul; Simpson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Haidara; Anita, Cabaye; Cisse, Sissoko, Marveaux; Shola Ameobi
5.06pmNEWCASTLE BENCH: Elliot, Perch, S.Taylor, Gosling, Bigirimana, Gutierrez, Obertan
5.07pmMETALIST XI: Goryainov; Villagra, Gueye, Torsiglieri, Fininho; Torres, Edmar; Marlos, Cleiton Xavier, Sosa; Cristaldo
5.08pmMETALIST BENCH: Disljenkovic, Berezovchuk, Shelayev, Blanco, Jaja, Krasnopyorov, Willian
5.08pmAs expected, manager Alan Pardew has made some changes for today's clash as Massadio Haidara comes in for Davide Santon at full-back, while Sylvain Marveaux has been selected ahead of Gabriel Obertan.
5.11pmShola Ameobi has been given the nod to start up front as a lone striker, while Papiss Cisse drops behind in a team that is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
5.12pmAs we know, Hatem Ben Arfa was omitted from the squad due to injury, while Jonas Guttierez has been demoted to the bench. I suggest that's because Pardew is keeping one eye on this weekend's Premier League encounter with Southampton.
5.13pmPardew has made no secret of the fact that he has been troubled by team selection but he claimed earlier this week that he is confident of taming Metalist's home support.
He told the club's official website: "The atmosphere will probably be the first time we really experience a hostile crowd in this competition.
"But we have players who have played on the international stage and are used to that scenario, so I don't envisage a problem. If I put my best team up against any team in this competition, I would feel confident."
5.18pmWith regards to Metalist's team, manager Myron Markevych has named the same starting XI that carved out a goalless draw at St James' Park a week ago in the first leg. This means that Jonathan Cristaldo gets another chance to fire at Tim Krul following his close but failed attempts on Tyneside.
5.21pmSo, let's look to the game itself shall we? As mentioned, neither side have a goal advantage heading into this match but let's not forget that the all-important away goal rule can come into force in case of a draw and it will be the Magpies that reap the rewards.
5.25pmNewcastle fans may arguably feel that they should be heading into the match two goals to the good following Papiss Cisse's brace, in which both goals were ruled offside.
5.28pmBoth sides will want to come out firing when the game kicks off at 6pm since neither team have any goals to back them up already, which could make for an exciting clash. However, Newcastle have the slight disadvantage of playing away and they have not won any of their last five trips in Europe.
5.30pmWhile the Magpies may feel frustrated at their failure to get a lead at home in the first leg, Metalist coach Markevych has been praising his opponents ahead of today's encounter.
"As I said after the first game, Newcastle are a very good team and they shouldn't be in the position they are in," BBC Sport quotes the manager as saying. "They should be in the top 10 minimum."
"As I said after the first game, Newcastle are a very good team and they shouldn't be in the position they are in," BBC Sport quotes the manager as saying. "They should be in the top 10 minimum."
5.35pmAs a reminder, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool are all in Europa League action this evening. Spurs have a 2-1 lead over Lyon, while Chelsea are favourites to progress due to their 1-0 advantage over Sparta Prague. Liverpool, on the other hand, are 2-0 down to Zenit St. Petersburg following their trip to Russia. A famous European night at Anfield is needed for them.
5.38pmAnyway, back to the game we're focusing on! Metalist head into tonight's match in good form. They've lost just once, which was a 1-0 defeat to Olympiakos in last season's round-of-16 meeting, in 11 European home games.
5.38pmThe Ukrainian side managed to get to the quarter-finals last season until they were knocked out by Sporting Lisbon, while they have made it into the final 16 of the competition twice.
5.43pmAmeobi, who starts up front tonight, was speaking ahead of the match about teammate Cisse's goal threat.
"Papiss is pretty easy-going and he knows he is going to get chances playing in this team," BBC Sport quotes Ameobi as saying. "With the players he has got behind him feeding, he is going to get chances to score goals, and hopefully he can do that on Thursday.
"When he gets on a roll, there's no stopping him, so hopefully he can keep getting into those positions and he can start banging them away."
5.45pmWe're just around 15 minutes away from kickoff, and it's quite safe to say that Newcastle are going to go for this one considering their strong lineup. Let's keep our fingers crossed for goals!
5.47pmLet's not forget though, that the Magpies are currently just four points away from the relegation zone in the Premier League table, so the North-East outfit have plenty to fight for this season.
5.51pmNews just emerging that Chieck Tiote is out of the squad due to illness, which is a big blow for Newcastle in midfield. In terms of defence, January signings Yanga-Mbiwa and Haidara have a job to do tonight. We have just under 10 minutes to go until kickoff!
5.52pmSo, how do you see the game going? For me, I'm predicting a slender Newcastle win. Maybe it's the fact that I don't want to back against an English team... but the strong lineup suggests that the Magpies are taking this game seriously. Also, progression into the final 16 will boost confidence ahead of their Premier League bout against Southampton.
5.56pmThe crowds are out in force tonight! The fans are singing loud and proud in the terraces as the teams emerge from the tunnel.
5.58pmThe teams are out on the field and we are a matter of moments away from the start of this crucial second leg. Cue the obligatory handshakes in what looks like chilly conditions in Ukraine!
0 minNewcastle get us underway! Kicking from left to right...
0 minMetalist get some early possession trying to establish control of the game but Cabaye picks up a lose ball aiming for Ameobi, but his pass down the left falls into the clutches of Metalist.
2 minSome early attacking play from Newcastle comes in the form of Ameobi, who drives down the left and finds space to get a cross in but Fininho gets there first and clears the danger.
3 minNeither side have quite settled as yet. This could be down to the pitch, which isn't the greatest of surfaces and the ball is bobbling about quite a bit.
3 minNewcastle get a free kick just above the halfway line. Cabaye lines up to take it and lofts it into the box searching for the head of Yanga-Mbiwa, but it's cleared.
4 minNewcastle have started the better side in these early few minutes as Ameobi is rightfully offside following a long-ball effort from Simpson.
5 minAnita plays the ball down field to Ameobi on the right, who gets closed down by two yellow shirts, but he manages to get his pass to Sissoko, who is forced to play it back from the line.
7 minNewcastle look like the home team at the moment! They've taken control with possession as a long-ball effort finds the feet of Marveaux, who is called offside.
8 minCisse gives away a silly free kick by kicking out at Sosa as the player fell to ground after getting in front of the forward. It comes to nothing and Newcastle have a chance to attack once again.
9 minAt the other end, Newcastle get another free kick, that Cabaye stands over. The midfielder launches the ball into the box but it goes straight into the hands of the keeper.
11 minColoccini fouls Cristaldo outside of the 18-yard box, which Xavier takes but his shot is very ambitious and it goes flying over the bar. No trouble for Krul.
11 minThe referee blows up for a foul from Villagra on Marveaux. The Metalist defender kicks into Marveaux's heels after the Newcastle midfielder tried to play the pass.
13 minCabaye once again drifts the ball into the box searching for Coloccini, but it gets cleared by yellow shirts. The danger doesn't disappear though, as Newcastle keep their play alive through Marveaux, who moves to the edge of the area, chests the ball down and tries to set up a shot but he mistimes it and the ball is cleared.
14 minCHANCE! Impressive play from Cabaye, who sends the ball over the top to find Sissoko on the right. He drives into the centre of the final third but his shot is poor and the keeper gathers with ease.
16 minMetalist have to switch something up because they have hardly seen any of the ball since we kicked off. It's all Newcastle!
16 minCHANCE! Simpson breaks free on the right flank to get a cross into Ameobi, and while this should have never really been a chance, the forward slips as he aims a low shot towards goal and it dribbles past the keeper, who scrambles down to his left and it grateful when the ball moves out of play!
18 minDown the other end, Metalist get a rare attack through Marlos, who fails to control the ball on the edge of the area and Sissoko comes to save Newcastle.
19 minSosa finds himself in the box on his own after drifting through from the left but he can't compose himself on the ball and Coloccini steps in to snatch the ball and clear the danger.
20 minAmeobi picks up a loose ball in midfield and plays it to Simpson, who returns to his teammate with a lofting ball over the top but it's too far for Ameobi to latch on to.
23 minA corner opportunity goes missing for Newcastle as the referee blows up for pushing in the box. The replays though suggest that there wasn't much going on in the penalty area.
24 minCabaye switches the play to the right by launching the ball into the final third. The ball searches for Cisse, who gets blocked by Fininho, who handles the ball and gives Newcastle a free kick on the edge of the area.
25 minCabaye once again lofts the ball into the area, which forces Goryainov to punch the ball away and Metalist can breathe again.
26 minAt the other end, Xavier drives to the byline to get a high cross in but Krul moves out from his line just in time to snatch the ball from the air. Metalist will need to try to string some attacks together in order to get back into this game.
27 minMISS! It's the first scare for Newcastle! Marlos moves to the edge of the area and turns with the ball swiftly to find Villagra on the right. He crosses into the box, where Cristaldo is waiting to head towards goal but it just skims around to the outside net.
30 minMetalist are looking slightly more threatening now. Villagra is seeing plenty of the ball in these last few minutes down the right-hand side. He plays the ball into Cristaldo but he snuffs his chance and the opportunity goes missing.
31 minThe home side have another wave of pressure through Cristaldo, who drives to the edge of the area and tries to set up a shot but he gets closed down by Coloccini.
32 minColoccini gives away another free kick in his own half. He brings down Cristaldo from behind. Just as a side note - this referee is known to be card-happy but there have been none as yet...
33 minFinninho gives the ball away but it manages to drift to Sosa on the right side of his own half to launch another attack, but Newcastle are closing them down well in midfield.
35 minSimpson is brought down by Torres but the free kick is wasted as he launches it up towards goal, where Ameobi is unable to reach in time to get a shot on goal.
36 minSimpson is needed once again in his own half as Cristaldo tries to chase the ball down in the penalty area, but the Newcastle man does enough to latch onto the ball and clear.
37 minCHANCE! Almost 40 minutes gone and Metalist get their first corner of the game, which could have resulted in a goal. Cabaye takes his eye off Cristaldo, who frees up space to get on the end of a free header but he fails to get it on target and it drives out wide. He should have done a lot better than that!
38 minColoccini gives away another free kick. Marlos's feet are took quick for the Argentinian, who pokes a foot in and catches the Metalist player's ankle.
39 minThe ball soars into the box from the set piece but Coloccini jumps higher than everyone to head the ball clear. Metalist are having a lot more possession and creating more chances as we reach the final 10 minutes of the half.
40 minThe ref may not be issuing many cards but he is enjoying his whistle! Anytime a side strings a few passes together, a slight challenge results in a free kick. It's rather stop-start at the moment.
41 minSHOT! At the other end, Sissoko rolls the ball into the feet of Ameobi in the box. The frontman lays it off for Cisse, who takes a thundering shot at goal but the keeper manages to open his body and block the path of the ball.
42 minCabaye finds some space in midfield and launches the ball up-field to Ameobi, who does a lovely back-flick to Sissoko, who crosses the ball into the box but Cisse is unable to capitalise on the pass.
43 minBOOKING! Here we go then, we have the first yellow card of the game, and it goes to Haidara, who lunges into Villagra and is nowhere near the ball when he goes for the tackle.
44 minSosa delivers the ball into the box from his free-kick position from outside of the area, but Marveaux manages to get his head onto it first and get the ball away from danger.
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Metalist 0-0 Newcastle
6.48pmSo there we have it, the match remains goalless between Metalist and Newcastle, with chances coming at both ends. However, the away side made a better start to the contest. Pardew's men took early control and their game plan has worked so far, with players packing the midfield and allowing Ameobi a free role up front.
6.50pmMetalist's first real chance came in the 37th minute of the clash through a headed effort by Cristaldo, who was unable to convert. Other than that, the home side have only had a few periods of domination throughout the first 45 minutes.
6.52pmYou'd have to argue that while Cristaldo has had a couple more chances at goal, Ameobi has been the more impressive in terms of play. He's linked up well with the three attackers behind him and has been integral in Newcastle's play going forward.
6.54pmAs mentioned earlier, it's been quite stop-start due to a number of small fouls, which the majority have come from Metalist. They seemed frustrated when they were on the backfoot and resulted in giving cheap fouls away.
6.56pmI'm sure Newcastle will be the happiest out of the two sides as it's been a very controlled away performance for the men in black and white. They just need to find the breakthrough in the second half to avoid going into extra time. Yes, did I forget to mention that...?
6.57pmIf it remains goalless by the 90th minute, then we go into 30 minutes of extra time, and if needs be, a penalty shootout. So, you may be with me for a lot longer than you planned!
7pmLet's have a look at the stats as we await the second half then. Metalist have had more shots on goal - five chances to Newcastle's four, but neither have had a shot on target. Both teams will be hoping to change that in the second 45 minutes.
7.03pmBoth sets of teams have emerged back onto the field as Metalist prepare to get us underway.
45 minAnd we're off! Remember, if neither side are separated by the final minute, we then go into extra time and possibly penalties!
46 minNewcastle try to start the half as they began the first 45 by taking control of the ball and keeping Metalist on the back foot. They've been successful so far as they knock the ball around midfield.
47 minMarlos manages to snatch the ball from the middle of the park and drives up the right flank to take on Haidara, who is unable to knock him off his stride. Marlos crosses the ball into the box but Krul slumps down to his side to gather.
48 minHaidara just does enough to muscle out Marlos as he drives towards an oncoming long ball. The Metalist man is calling for a foul from a push but the ref is having none of it.
49 minSissoko speeds away from two yellow shirts in midfield but he gets closed down and his pass is deflected up towards the box but there's no aim on it, which doesn't give any Newcastle players to move up in time to latch onto it.
50 minWhat a poor free kick from Cabaye. Newcastle get an opportunity on the right edge of the penalty area but it finds the first yellow short in the wall.
51 minMetalist get a free kick in a dangerous area. Cabaye brings down Xavier from behind and now the home side have a chance to shoot from the middle.
52 minXavier takes it but it's completely wasted! He fires the ball high over the crossbar. At the other end, Marveaux finds some space but instead of setting up an attack, he takes an ambitious shot from far out and it flies into the stands.
53 minAlthough the second half is in its infancy, at the moment, neither side look likely to find the back of the net as yet. Does extra time beckon?
54 minSimpson storms down the right flanks to get a lofting cross into the box. The ball somehow becomes free in the penalty area and while Ameobi tries to run onto it, he's too slow and the ball gets cleared.
57 minCHANCE! Oh dear. Marveaux made the wrong decision there. Some lovely one-touch play between Marveaux and Sissoko sets up his teammate, who drives into the box and takes a shot towards the left near post but it goes well wide. His other option was to hit a low cross into the feet of Ameobi, who could have tapped it in.
57 minIt's very open at the moment! Simpson launches another cross into the box and the ball falls for Marveaux, but he isn't given time to get a shot on goal.
60 minNewcastle are piling more pressure in the box. Ameobi gets a head to a cross in the box but as he tries to aim towards goal, Gueye jumps high enough to block the chance.
61 minPENALTY! What a fumble by Gueye! The ball is played back to the defender, who opts to play it back to the goalkeeper but the pair fail to communicate as the defender's pass goes beyond the shot-stopper and Cisse runs for the ball and is brought down by the keeper.
63 minGOAL! Metalist 0-1 Newcastle (Ameobi)
64 minWhat a vital away goal from Ameobi. The striker lines up calmly to take the penalty and he does a short run-up to slam the ball into the upper right corner of the net. The perfect scoreline for Newcastle so far!
64 minSo, Newcastle get their deserved away goal and this eliminates the possibility of extra time and penalties. Apologies to those who were looking forward to that...
65 minMetalist need to go for it now, and then seem to be doing just that! Torres gets the ball on the edge of the area and crosses over the top to Sosa, who hits the ball on the volley but it goes sky high over the bar.
66 minSUBSTITUTION Metalist make a double change as they chase the game by replacing Torres and Marlos for Jaja and Willian.
67 minCHANCE! Newcastle are close to making it two as the ball is drifted into the area searching the for the head of Ameobi. He almost gets there but Gueye manages to get to it just in time to clear the danger.
69 minSAVE! A great stop from Krul! The Newcastle keeper uses his foot to stop Willian from getting a shot on goal after driving into the box.
71 minMetalist launch another attack as they pile pressure on the Newcastle defence. The ball is played out to Xavier, who is waiting in the centre, just outside of the area. He powers a shot towards goal but it flies over the bar. Not the first time Xavier has done that this evening!
72 minNewcastle's job now is to stay compact and prevent a predictable wave of attacks from the home side as they will still reach the final 16 if the game finishes with a draw due to their away goal.
73 minBOOKING! Some handbags from both sides here as Cisse pushes Cristaldo in anger for kicking out following a foul. The striker goes into the book.
74 minSUBSTITUTION Newcastle also make a double change by withdrawing Cisse and Anita for Gutierrez and Perch.
75 minIt looks as though Newcastle will just try to harbour their 1-0 lead in the remaining 15 minutes or so of the half.
76 minSAVE! Krul is truly proving his worth here! Once again, he makes a vital save to stop Cristaldo from equalising. Willian turns with the ball to play in the striker, who goes one-on-one with Krul but the goalkeeper makes himself big enough to stop the forward from finding a way through.
78 minNewcastle have dropped deep as Metalist try to find a way through from the back, but the Magpies are defending in numbers.
79 minWhat a brilliant ball from Villagra! The Metalist player gets a whipping cross into the box, but it's Simpson who gets there first and he kicks the ball out of play.
80 minCHANCE! Metalist come again! The ball drives towards the feet of Jaja from the corner. He reacts quickly to aim the ball into the right bottom corner, but Perch blocks the shot and Newcastle can breathe.
81 minSUBSTITUTION Metalist make their final change as Edmar makes way for Blanco as we reach the final 10 minutes of the game.
83 minYanga-Mbiwa manages to intercept a cross into the box and find Coloccini who plays it out as Cabaye drops to the floor holding his knee.
85 minThe Frenchman looks like he may have stretched it but he's back on his feet and it able to continue.
85 minSAVE! Krul again! A corner comes flying into the box to find Willian, who's the first man. He tries to flick it towards the near post but Krul is there to punch clear.
86 minBOOKING! Fininho goes into the referee's booking after an exchange of words with Cabaye. Looks like handbags to me.
87 minKrul spills the ball from a cross but moves forward to retrieve it, but as he does Cristaldo pulls the keeper down with his right foot and gets a yellow card for the foul.
89 minBOOKING! That's three yellow cards in just a few minutes! This time, Krul gets booked for wasting time.
90 minColoccini makes the right decision in letting a delivery from Cristaldo bounce past him to go out for a goal kick. Five added minutes have been indicated by the fourth official.
90+1 minA lofting ball over the top searches for Blanco, who is in position to get a header on goal, but Krul moves out from his line just in time to gather.
90+2 minVillagra tries to force through a chance by freeing himself on the edge of the area. He gets his shot through but it doesn't get past Krul as he collects the ball with ease.
90+4 minFininho opts to play the ball out wide on the left looking for Jaja, but he misplaces it and it goes out for a Newcastle throw-in. That pretty much sums up Metalist's evening.
90+5 minFULL-TIME: Metalist 0-1 Newcastle
7.54pmSo, there we have it. Newcastle are through to the last 16 following a slender 1-0 win on away turf against Metalist Kharkiv. The result is fully deserved for the Magpies, who showed their intent from the get-go in Ukraine.
7.56pmThe Magpies controlled the game in the early stages and looked more like the home side as Metalist failed to find their rhythm and get an early strong start that they had hoped for. Newcastle made the breakthrough in the second half courtesy of a penalty won by Cisse, who was brought down by keeper Goryainov in the box following a mix-up with his defender.
7.58pmAmeobi took the responsibility and fired into the back of the net to give Newcastle a much-deserved lead. While the Magpies experienced an onslaught in the final 20 minutes or so, Metalist were unable to get through keeper Krul, who had a very impressive stint between the sticks.
8pmNewcastle aren't the only English team through to the final 16. Tottenham have also scraped into the next round courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Lyon, which placed them 3-2 on aggregate.
8.01pmI may be finished here but don't forget we have full coverage of Liverpool's match against Zenit St. Petersburg, as well as Chelsea's second leg against Sparta Prague. Follow the games right here. Enjoy!
