Football: Newcastle crash out of Europe

IN LAST night's European ties, Chelsea advanced to the second round of the European Cup-Winners' Cup, though Newcastle went out, while Rangers made progress in the Uefa Cup.

Chelsea, the Cup-Winners' Cup holders, were not entirely convincing in the second leg of their first-round tie in Helsingborg, in southern Sweden, but managed to advance 1-0 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw.

Newcastle, too, were unable to score, but in their case it was more costly. A Vuk Rasovic penalty after 53 minutes sealed a 1-0 win for Partizan in Belgrade which meant Newcastle fell at the first hurdle, 2-1 on aggregate.

Ruud Gullit's "sexy football' made only sporadic appearances in a bad- tempered game and an ill-judged piece of shirt-pulling by David Batty provided a chance that Rasovic took coolly. He had also scored Partizan's goal from a penalty in the first leg.

Hearts went out 2-1 on aggregate after drawing 1-1 at Real Mallorca. But there was some success for Scotland in the Uefa Cup as Rangers advanced impressively at Ibrox, defeating Beitar Jerusalem 4-2, 5-3 on aggregate. Rino Gattuso gave them a flying start with a goal after only 21 seconds.