Panionios 0 Newcastle United 1: A fraught week for Graeme Souness at least ended on a high. Having accepted Craig Bellamy's apology yesterday afternoon for swearing at him, Newcastle's manager enjoyed a victory last night. His team made hard work of it but a late Alan Shearer penalty sufficed writes Jon Brodkin at Panionios Stadium.
The captain's spot-kick, after Shola Ameobi was fouled by Gregory Makos, gave Newcastle a win they seemed determined not to grasp. They dominated the second half but Shearer, Ameobi and the hard- working Bellamy failed to take chances laid on by Laurent Robert, with Sorin Colceag making two saves.
A limited Panionios, fourth from bottom in their league, rarely threatened as they sought to play on the counter-attack. Souness can afford to smile, still unbeaten since he took over and with the Bellamy issue now in the past.
Before kick-off Bellamy had publicly apologised to Souness for his behaviour at the weekend, insisting he had no intention of leaving.
"I was out of order for what I did at The Valley on Sunday and I want to apologise to the manager," the 25-year-old said.
"I knew within 10 seconds what I did was wrong and I have tried to say so but really I haven't had the chance because of other things that have happened. My outburst wasn't really aimed at the manager on Sunday but more at the situation. Call me old-fashioned if you want but my view when a player is substituted is that he has been ineffective and I didn't feel I was ineffective against Charlton."
Souness started Bellamy in his favourite position as a striker, with Patrick Kluivert at home injured. Bellamy was one of Newcastle's busiest performers in their unimpressive first half.
Colceag had to rush off his line to pluck one ball from in front of Bellamy, who also had a shot blocked after being set up by Jermaine Jenas.
The striker's passing, too, was sharp, which is more than could be said for some of his team-mates. Lee Bowyer was the worst culprit and Newcastle's poor use of the ball hampered them.
Robert did force a save from Colceag and Jenas ought to have done better from a few yards when a Robert free-kick fell to him just before the interval. Robert generally contributed little, though, like James Milner on the right.
Panionios produced only one effort that troubled Shay Given before half-time, Mario Breska's header bringing a good save. Newcastle were never under sustained pressure but looked vulnerable at set pieces and crosses.
There were signs of Newcastle improvement early in the second half and it seemed Souness had made his displeasure clear. His side began playing at a higher tempo but soon the mediocrity returned.
PANIONIOS: Colceag, Dodd, Vlcek, Giannopoulos, Zimonjic (Goundoulakis 69), Parodi (Lagonikakis 75), Makos, Domoraud, Spiropoulos, Breska, Tsiolis. Subs Not Used: Sotiriou, Meszaros, Exouzidis, Mitrou, Mantzios. Booked: Zimonjic, Lagonikakis.
NEWCASTLE UTD: Given, Carr, O'Brien, Elliott, Bernard, Milner (Ameobi 67), Jenas, Bowyer, Robert, Bellamy, Shearer. Subs Not Used: Harper, Ambrose, Hughes, Bramble, Taylor, Brittain. Booked: Carr, Bowyer. Goal: Shearer 87 pen.
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).
