'Crucial' goal deflates Sir Bobby

By Greg Demetriou

Christian Vieri at last has a goal in this season's UEFA Champions League after a draw that left injury-ravaged Internazionale FC standing on the brink of the second group stage.

Destiny changed
The Inter striker found the net in the 47th minute of a pulsating match at the San Siro that twice saw Newcastle United FC take the lead through Alan Shearer. Yet it was Vieri's goal - his first in ten European games this season - that proved decisive and it left Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson in no doubt what changed the destiny of tonight's match.

Dyer out
"It was crucial for Inter," said a downcast Sir Bobby, who had to reshuffle his team when key midfield player Kieron Dyer failed a late fitness test with a hamstring problem. "It was a terrific boost for them and gave us a more difficult match."

Three points wanted 
He added: "If this was the first game of the group, this would have been a magnificent result. In the context of having to win, it is disappointing."

Nearly there
The 2-2 draw means Newcastle must win in their final second group stage match against FC Barcelona at home next week and hope Inter draw or lose on their trip to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Group A's bottom team without a point from five matches. One lifeline for Newcastle is that Inter will be without Vieri, after his booking earned him a one-match suspension, but Hernán Crespo could possibly be fit.

Fans lifted
Vieri's strike cancelled out Shearer's effort in the first half, a close-range conversion after excellent work from Craig Bellamy, and although Shearer soon managed to restore Newcastle's lead, the home fans knew their side were capable of a positive result and responded accordingly.

Excellent display
Inter's second goal came from the unlikeliest of sources, Iván Córdoba, but he was the most deserving of heroes. The Colombian defender, in for the injured Marco Materazzi, turned in a rugged defensive display that saved his side from more punishment. "We had to use all of our character tonight," Córdoba said. "We had to run twice as much as usual."

Fast start
The tone was set for an exciting encounter when Emre Belözoglu fired over the crossbar inside the first minute. Nolberto Solano then saw a cracking drive cannon against the bar, hit Francesco Toldo and bounce to safety before going close again. Newcastle grew in stature through Jermaine Jenas's bright play but Inter also had their moments in a match where their need was not as great.

Happy with point
Inter coach Héctor Cúper believed both teams had the chances to win and refuted claims he had targeted a point. "We always wanted to win," he said. "Before, after and during the match. However, I am happy with the result considering the way the game went."

Martins impressive
Much of the talk before the contest was on Cúper's lack of a strike partner for Vieri and it was telling his goal came when he had company. The Italy forward played the entire first half as a lone frontman, assisted sporadically by Emre. Yet the half-time introduction of Akinwunmi Martins, a product of the Inter youth set-up, made all the difference.

Key moment
In the 47th minute, with the Italian side trailing, Martins dropped deep to pick up the ball. He fed Sergio Conceição on the right and he crossed for Vieri to score with a perfectly-placed header. A delighted Vieri ripped off his Inter shirt to reveal a t-shirt bearing a bright red heart. It was a fitting symbol as Vieri was the lifesource of his team tonight - but only time will tell if his absence next time will prove decisive.