Europa League
6 December, 2012
Bordeaux
Kevin Olimpa
30
Mathieu Chalme
21
Marc Planus
27
Florian Marange
23
Maxime Poundje
29
Fahid Ben Khalfallah
8
Andre Biyogho Poko
17
Gregory Sertic
26
Henri Saivet
20
David Bellion
11
Cheikh Diabate
14
Substitutes
Hadi Sacko
12
Landry Nguemo
7
Nicolas Maurice-Belay
19
Lamine Sane
6
Abdoulaye Keita
1
Newcastle United
21
Robert Elliot
34
James Tavernier
6
Mike Williamson
14
James Perch
31
Shane Ferguson
39
Mehdi Abeid
22
Sylvain Marveaux
20
Gael Bigirimana
30
Nile Ranger
23
Shola Ameobi
28
Sammy Ameobi
Substitutes
2
Fabricio Coloccini
8
Vurnon Anita
9
Papiss Cisse
1
Tim Krul
5
Danny Simpson
17
Romain Amalfitano
49
Adam Campbell
Referee: Menashe Masiah
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We knew before the game that this contest would never be the epitome of competitiveness, but the degree to which both camps inconspicuously played was quite outstanding. Neither side really looked up for it, but the Newcastle fringe players showed why they are fringe players, losing out to a second-choice Bordeaux side. A Cheikh Diabate brace proved the difference in the end, and Bordeaux finish the group on top, with Newcastle in second place.
The referee brings the game to a close with the scoreline, Bordeaux 2, Newcastle United 0.
The fourth official begins to fiddle around with his board and decides we have two minutes left to endure.
The contest has turned into a bit of a stalemate in midfield, with neither side venturing too far into the opposite half. The result is determined and the play reflects that.
Newcastle bring on Papiss Cisse in place of Sammy Ameobi, who has been pretty useless all night. To be fair, he hasn't had the best of service, though.
Newcastle United are just beginning to come forward a little more, but I fear it's too little, too late for Alan Pardew's side. Nevertheless, it makes for a better watch, as Sylvain Marveaux floats a brilliant ball in, but Fabricio Coloccini can't quite climb high enough.
Fabricio Coloccini has come on to replace Mike Williamson.
We asked you a few minutes ago, in what year did Newcastle reach the semi-finals of this competition, and who did they lose to - well, Bobby Robson took them to the semis in the 2003/04 season, where they met their match against Marseille. The opening leg was goalless at St. James' Park, but a Didier Drogba brace helped his side to remove Newcastle from the competition.
CHEIKH DIABATE beats the offside trap and slides the ball in between the legs of Robert Elliot to all but seal Newcastle's fate. It looks like Bordeaux are going to win Group D.
Cheikh Diabate doubles Bordeaux's advantage.
The passing game continues as we approach the final phase of this game. Not great to watch, but Bordeaux are content as they look set to finish as group winners. James Tavernier has gone into the book for Newcastle.
With little to report at the moment, a bit of trivia is in order: The furthest Newcastle have reached in this competition was the semi-finals. In what year did they reach this milestone, and who did they lose to in the semis? Answer in a few minutes.
As Newcastle cleared the ball, nobody suspected that Gregory Sertic could come so close to doubling Bordeaux's lead. The midfielder chests it down, before thumping in a half-volley that has Robert Elliot completely beaten. It goes marginally wide, clipping the post on the way through.
Bordeaux manage to work a great chance for Cheikh Diabate, who is through on goal. The Bordeaux attacker gets it all wrong for a second time this evening, as he miskicks the ball, which ends up in the top tier.
Newcastle United show a bit of creativity for the first time tonight, with the midfielders showing great vision to pick out Sammy Ameobi, who strikes the ball well, but Kevin Olimpa is equal to it. Bordeaux launch a quick counter-attack, which culminates in a dangerous squared ball from Gregory Sertic. His efforts are in vain, though, as nobody arrives to answer his delivery.
The second period has started as the last one ended, with short, negative passing the name of the game.
The second half is underway, and Newcastle United have brought on Vurnon Anita in place of Shola Ameobi at the break.
It's pretty hard to summarise such a display of inaction, but I'll give it a go: terrible pitch, nothing to play for, and a pretty good goal. The goal being the only event worthy of note, except for an early superb display from Robert Elliot, who denied Cheikh Diabate and David Bellion. The goal was a headed effort, which followed a mouth-watering delivery from Fahid Ben Khalfallah. That's about it, folks - let's hope the second half picks up!
The referee does us all a favour by drawing the first half to a close.
Cheikh Diabate is allowed to get a header away from the back post. However, this time the cross is overhit and Diabate would have had to produce something special to beat the keeper from there. James Perch was cautioned in the lead up to that effort.
The Newcastle players don't look too bothered at all that they have gone behind. They are happy - well, the goalkeeper and the four defenders are happy - to pass the ball around, and Bordeaux are happy to sit back and watch.
An excellent first touch from Nile Ranger creates half a chance out of what was an inaccurate long ball. It seems that he has beaten the defender for pace, that is, until he is brought down with a technique similar to that of a rugby tackle. Ranger is insistent that he should have won at least a free kick, but the referee waves away the protests.
The position didn't look too threatening until Fahid Ben Khalfallah picked out CHEIKH DIABATE with a perfectly-weighted pass which beat the three defenders marking Diabate. In the end, it's a simple header and Bordeaux lead.
Cheikh Diabate puts the home side ahead!
Nile Ranger uses some quick footwork to hold the ball up for Gael Bigirimana, who completely deceives the Bordeaux left-back with a quick turn, but rushes his cross and the home side clear easily.
Shola Ameobi gets into a decent position just outside the area, but his control lets him down and - realising the opportunity is gone - he falls to ground with no contact from the opposition. The ref sees straight through his amateur-dramatics but decides not to punish Ameobi further.
Bordeaux work the ball in to David Bellion, who gets a superb shot away from a tight angle. It goes through the legs of a defender, but Robert Elliot gets down quickly to palm the ball away. The loose ball presents the home side with a golden opportunity, as Cheikh Diabate only has to tap it in. The Bordeaux number 14 fluffs his lines and allows the Newcastle defenders to recover.
Newcastle United have really struggled to create any chances so far, and they have a perfect opportunity to get the ball in the box from a free kick. Instead, they take it short to Sylvain Marveaux, who skews a long-range drive well wide.
Robert Elliot is called into action for the second time this evening as Fahid Ben Khalfallah skips through midfield, before unleashing a well-struck shot on target. Elliot get his angles right and shows just strength to push the stinging shot away from goal.
Nile Ranger seems to outmuscle the goalkeeeper but he's never going to get the decision in a situation like that - the keeper goes to ground and the referee doesn't hesitate to halt play.
The condition of the pitch is proving hard to deal with, as both sides struggle to anticipate the dodgy bounces that are occurring all over the pitch. It's actually preventing a decent flow to the game as neither side can control the ball.
Bordeaux force an early corner and the ball in evades all the Newcastle players, and falls at the feet of Henri Saivet, who is allowed to take a touch and strike towards goal at short range. Only a wonderful instinctive save from Robert Elliot denies him.
Bordeaux get things underway.
It's a largely unknown Newcastle side taking on Bordeaux tonight. Alan Pardew seems content with qualification as he looks to refocus on domestic fixtures. Robert Elliot is in goal; the reformed defence consists of James Tavernier, Mike Williamson, James Perch and Shane Ferguson. Mehdi Abeid, Sylvain Marveaux, Gael Bigirimana and Nile Ranger occupy the centre of the park, while the Ameobis start up front.
With both sides already guaranteed to progress, there is a danger that this could become a half-hearted affair at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. However, first place is up for grabs as Group D's top two battle it out this evening – the winner could avoid the likes of Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Lyon. Nevertheless, it's a chance for Alan Pardew to rest a few players, with a trip to Fulham on Monday in mind. Newcastle can't afford to suffer any more injuries, with several first team players sidelined already, so Conor Newton, Yven Moyo, Adam Campbell, Gael Bigirimana, Mehdi Abeid and Nile Ranger are all travelling. Newton and Moyo are set to make their first team debuts.