Magpies demolish Bordeaux

Papiss Cisse reminded the Newcastle fans of his quality with an impressive goal in his side's 3-0 Europa League demolition of Bordeaux.

The Senegal international produced a trademark sumptuous 49th-minute finish to kill off the Frenchmen as the Magpies powered their way to the top of Group D with their first win in front of a delighted crowd of 30,987.

Shola Ameobi had set Alan Pardew's side on their way with his 13th European goal following good work by Girondins old boy Gabriel Obertan, and Brazilian defender Henrique's 40th-minute own goal left the visitors in deep trouble.

Cisse, who belatedly opened his season's account at Manchester United last week, ensured that the points remained on Tyneside with the second half only four minutes old when the ball found its way to Shane Ferguson on the left and his cross was scooped expertly past goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso and in off the foot of the post by Cisse.

Sunderland old boy David Bellion might have reduced the deficit 16 minutes from time when he got the benefit of what looked like a generous offside decision, but Steve Harper refused to be beaten and Newcastle saw out time with the minimum of fuss.

It proved a sobering evening for Francis Gillot's men, who who had not lost in 17 games in all competitions since April 8 but have now lost on all five of their visits to England.

The visitors arrived with high expectations after trouncing Club Brugge 4-0 last month and Pardew had voiced the opinion before the game that Bordeaux were arguably the strongest team in the group. However, opposite number Gillot said the same about the Magpies.

Newcastle's starting line-up was the strongest Pardew had fielded in the competition to date, although he still made seven changes from the 11 men who started at Reading at the weekend with one eye on Manchester United's visit to Tyneside on Sunday.