Psv Eindhoven knew that they had to succeed where Arsenal had failed if they were to continue their European challenge last night. Paul Gilder saw United frustrate them at St James's Park. They have tended to be more catastrophic than catenaccio in the past but Newcastle prepared for last night's Uefa Cup quarter-final confident that they had finally learnt how to fasten the defensive padlock needed to prosper in Continental competition. Just three days after holding Henry, restricting Reyes and baffling Bergkamp, Sir Bobby Robson's side took on the reigning Dutch champions aware that a repeat of their Easter Sunday stalemate against all-conquering Arsenal would be enough to ensure semi-final qualification. Asked in his pre-match press conference if PSV could, unlike the Gunners, shoot down the Magpies on home soil, Guus Hiddink communicated his confidence with a knowing smile. But, once the time for talking was over, Eindhoven's experienced coach found little to provoke another grin. From the first whistle to the last, Newcastle competed with the kind of composure which stems from having such a sound defensive base on which to build; Mateja Kezman, upon whom the high hopes of Holland rested, hardly got a touch during what proved to be a frustrating first half for the visitors. United's supporters have become accustomed to seeing such solidity over the course of this season's European campaign as their side have overcome NAC Breda, FC Basel, Valerenga and Real Mallorca, conceding just five goals in eight Uefa Cup outings prior to this tie. With Jonathan Woodgate continuing in the kind of commanding form which has furthered his England ambitions in recent weeks, it was little surprise when PSV departed for the half-time break having failed to trouble Shay Given. Few had expected Woodgate to be partnered by Titus Bramble following Andy O'Brien's accomplished performance against Arsenal. In his programme notes, Robson labelled O'Brien's contribution "magnificent" but left the Republic of Ireland international on the substitutes' bench. If that decision was harsh on the 24-year-old, it gave Bramble an opportunity to show what he was capable of producing on such a big occasion. For the way in which he responded with a display of concentration and maturity, even his glaring failure to convert the golden chance which would have all but ensured United's progression could be forgiven. Every PSV attack which came down the middle was blocked by the belligerent Bramble and Woodgate. Hiddink's hopes of using the pace of Dennis Rommedahl to unsettle the home team failed and, with Aaron Hughes and Olivier Bernard both defending diligently to counter the threat of the Dane and Ji-Sung Park, a change was needed. It came in the shape of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The big striker with the even bigger name partnered the disappointing Kezman as PSV switched to 4-4-2, yet it was a scythe rather than a substitution which finally unlocked Robson's defence. Bernard's despairing lunge on Park was punished by the award of a penalty, which Kezman fired past Given; parity restored at 1-1, it was Eindhoven's first attempt on goal. The equaliser temporarily troubled the Magpies' back-line and, for the first time, the home side looked vulnerable as PSV poured forward with menace. It didn't last long, though, and, as Woodgate rallied his team-mates, the confidence quickly returned. It was fitting that Gary Speed, who had done so much work to help shield his back-four, should head the deciding goal before the defenders closed the game down. In Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy, Robson boasts the Uefa Cup's leading scorers; yet it is their players at the opposite end of the pitch who could help United lift the trophy. | 
