With a performance that mixed discipline with imagination yet was still dependent on a marvellous solo display from Shay Given, Newcastle United made a small piece of club history last night. They were victorious on French soil for the first time.
It came at the sixth attempt, the fifth being the 2-0 defeat in Marseille in the semi-final of this competition six months ago. A result like this will encourage thoughts that Newcastle can again go far in the UEFA Cup.
Significantly, the win also took them back to the top of Group D and if they retain that position after their final fixture, against Sporting Lisbon at St James' Park, then they should be rewarded with a comparatively easy draw in the last 32.
Goals from Lee Bowyer, his first of the season, Shola Ameobi, Craig Bellamy and a last-minute free-kick from Lauren Robert gave the scoreline an emphasis that did not reflect the play. Not only did Given make several impressive saves, the Sochaux right-back Jeremy Mathieu missed a penalty with the score at 2-0.
The scoreline from Tbilisi, where Sporting Lisbon won 4-0, came through before kick-off. Thus the Portuguese moved above Newcastle as group leader on goal difference, but it meant that effectively they had qualified for the next phase.
Graeme Souness did not know the result when he picked his side. As expected he rested Patrick Kluivert and gave Ameobi only his third start under his management.
Newcastle's attacking possibilities, however, were of reduced interest once it became apparent that Sochaux had slipped into the rhythm that saw them win 3-1 at Monaco last Friday. Ilan was the focal point of Sochaux's passing and he was ably supported by the deft Jeremy Menez.
Bowyer opened the scoring on 29 minutes when he drilled a low, diagonal shot past Teddy Richert from inside the area.
Given was using his feet again soon to block from Ilan and the Irishman then made another save, this time from Michael Isabey.
On 46 minutes Bellamy and Milner combined to feed Olivier Bernard. He sent in a low, driven cross that the back-pedalling Paisley sliced. It went straight to Ameobi and a Newcastle second was a formality.
Newcastle's task now was to try to keep a clean sheet, but when the referee pointed to the spot after what seemed like a mystery foul, it appeared Sochaux would spoil that aim.
Yet when Mathieu stepped up it was to strike one of the worst penalties in the competition's history. Soon after Bellamy ran on to Aaron Hughes' pass to score the third.
SOCHAUX: Richert, Paisley, Diawara, Daf, Mathieu, Pitau, Lonfat (Boudarene 17), Oruma, Isabey (Diarra 84), Ilan, Menez (Santos 57). Subs Not Used: Gnanhouan, Tall, Lavie, De Carvalho.
NEWCASTLE UTD: Given, Bernard, Bramble, Hughes, Elliott, Bowyer (Dyer 62), Butt, Ambrose (Taylor 90), Milner (Robert 80), Ameobi, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Harper, Brittain, Jenas, Kluivert. Booked: Bowyer, Bernard. Goals: Bowyer 29, Ameobi 46, Bellamy 75, Robert 90.
Referee: Carlos Megia Davila (Spain)
