Newcastle scored a remarkable win away to Palermo in the UEFA Cup with a 37th minute headed goal from Albert Luque being the winner.

Given that Palermo are tied at the top of the Serie A league with Inter Milan – and Newcastle are struggling in 17th place in the Premiership this was indeed an excellent – and somewhat unexpected – win.

Both Palermo and Newcastle fielded weakened sides to rest some of their players for the weekend league games. Newcastle were without Given, Harper, Carr, Parker, Dyer, Ameobi, Duff, Martins and Babayaro with Rossi ineligible.

18 year old Tim Krul made his debut in goal (the Dutchman was snapped up by Newcastle 18 months ago) and Taylor and Ramage were installed as the full backs with Moore and Bramble surprisingly retained in the center of defense.

Albert Luque was given a rare chance up front and some of our youngsters were on the bench. In fact of the sixteen in the squad eight had come through the academy.
Newcastle started the game a little tentatively but came into the game as time went on and went ahead with a good header from Luque – who got on the end of an excellent cross from James Milner.

Milner and Butt were playing well in midfield and the defense was surprisingly strong with local lads Taylor and Ramage in particular having good games.

Obviously Palermo went all out in the second half but Tim Kril had an outstanding game with several key saves to keep a clean sheet on his debut. Watch this goalkeeper – he is the obvious successor to Edwin Van Der Sar in the Dutch side – and Newcastle may have to send him out on loan next season for experience. He is currently the Dutch under 21 goalkeeper and looks to have what it takes.

Captain for the night Craig Moore also had one of his best ever displays for the club and Nicky Butt put in another sterling performance. Nicky is starting to show his real form this season after a couple of years of medicrity – all credit to him.

This was a heartening result for Newcastle and some of the youngsters are starting to show through with 20 year old midfielder Matty Pattison (called up this week by South Africa) coming on as sub and 17 year old striker Andy Carroll coming on for his debut just before the end.

It is also rather surprising that this is the fourth clean sheet in the last five games with only one goal conceded since the Bolton fiasco.

While there are many positives to take from this match – not least of which is the emergence of some of our academy youngsters – one thing is absolutely certain, Newcastle must beat Sheffield United on Saturday in the league, otherwise the memory of this fine win will fade very quickly.

There is also no way we should be even thinking of selling James Milner to Aston Villa in January – this boy is a star in the making and is much improved following his season long loan to the villains.