Newcastle bailed out by Ameobi brothers against Club Brugge

Club Brugge 2 Newcastle United 2

Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager, predicted big things for Sammy Ameobi after he combined with brother Shola to spark a Europa League fightback against Bruges.

The 20-year-old was a key figure as the Magpies cancelled out Bruges' early two-goal lead to claim at point here and ease closer to qualification for the knockout stage.

It was his 43rd-minute pass which 31-year-old Shola converted two minutes after Vurnon Anita had dragged the visitors back into the game on an eventful evening in Flanders, and Pardew was delighted with his contribution.

He said: "I thought they were both good tonight. We had Ameobi to Ameobi – which is almost like a song – for the second goal, which was nice.

"It was a great little turn from Sammy. He has just got this way of getting out of corners that I have not seen many players being able to get out of. He still needs to tighten up a little bit on the tactical and intelligence sides of the game and he takes people on where perhaps he should pass. But he will learn that."

Newcastle got off to a catastrophic start as the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead, aided and abetted by some dreadful defending. Ivan Trickovski took advantage of Fabricio Coloccini's indecision to control Ryan Donk's 14th-minute long ball and beat Tim Krul, and Jesper Jorgensen doubled the dose within five minutes after shooting home from 20 yards.

But it was the Magpies who finished the half with a flurry with Anita volleying home his first goal for the club four minutes before the break and Shola Ameobi levelling.

The point keeps the Magpies at the top of the group, edging them closer to qualification for the next round.

Club Bruges (4-4-2): Jorgacevic; Hogli, Hoefkens, Almeback, Jordi; Donk, Odjija Ofoe (Lagrou, 81), Lestienne, Jorgensen; Trickovski (Tchite, h-t), Bacca. Substitutes not used Kujovic (gk), Vleminckx, Buysse, Engels, Verstraete.

Newcastle United (4-1-4-1): Krul; Anita, Williamson (S Taylor, 58), Coloccini, Tavernier; Tioté; Sammy Ameobi (Amalfitano, 83), Marveaux, Bigirimana (Cabaye, 72), Obertan; Shola Ameobi. Substitutes not used Elliot (gk), Santon, Cissé, Ferguson.

Referee L Banti (It).