Shearer and Bellamy put United top of group

Goals either side of half-time from Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy sent the Magpies top of Group D, and only a catastrophic set of results can now stop them reaching the group stages in February.

The first goal from skipper Shearer - Newcastle's 100th in European competition - may have raised a smile in the Sam Allardyce household with Newcastle opting for the route one approach which Graeme Souness was quick to criticise at Bolton on Sunday.

Shay Given's long punt forward was headed by Laurent Robert to Patrick Kluivert, who released Shearer in the box to fire home

It could have been a red-letter night for Souness' triumvirate of strikers with Kluivert's injury time effort cleared off the line by Mikheil Kakaladze.

A crowd of just 27,218 - the Magpies' lowest of the season - witnessed events on Tyneside and Souness' side head to France to play Sochaux in a fortnight as top dogs.

The expected much-changed side failed to materialise with Titus Bramble's chance to stake his claim for a first league start of the season put on hold.

Souness did tinker, however, with Olivier Bernard, Robert and Jermaine Jenas in for the rested Stephen Carr, the banned Nicky Butt and the benched Darren Ambrose.

Shay Given's wife Jane has still failed to deliver on the baby front, hence the Irishman was still Newcastle's last line of defence - no doubt much to reserve keeper Steve Harper's chagrin.

Newcastle started brightly with Kluivert - restored to his preferred position up front with Bellamy wide right - going close twice in the opening five minutes.

Firstly he was fed by Robert, only to see his effort from 18 yards charged down by the Tbilisi defence, then an astute ball by Jenas allowed the Dutch striker to turn and shoot left-footed from the edge of the area, producing a full-length save low to his left by Zurab Mamaladze.

Newcastle were carving open the Georgian defence at will with Bellamy wasting another great chance on ten minutes, firing wide when set up by Shearer on the right of the area.

Just after the quarter hour it was Kluivert again in on goal only to be foiled by a superbly-timed tackle by George Shashiashvili.

Newcastle continued to press and find numerous holes in the away defence.

Shearer appeared to miss a golden chance in the 18th minute blazing over when unmarked from eight yards, only for the assistant referee's flag to spare his blushes and rule the skipper offside.

Tbilisi began to settle and then began to capitalise on Newcastle errors at the back. First it was Aaron Hughes on 24 minutes giving possession away to skipper Georgi Nemsadze, who released Kakhaber Aladshvili down the right.

The cross was hit with power but Andy O'Brien was there to cut out the danger. Next it was Lee Bowyer giving away possession on the edge of box but Robbie Elliott was on hand to cut out the danger.

Newcastle then decided route one was their best hope of success and two chances were carved open in three minutes after the half hour, the second producing the opening goal.

Given was instrumental in both. His first long ball was flicked on by Kluivert for Robert, who bore down on goal in a central position.

The Frenchman hit it early from 20 yards, but his curling effort was wide of the keeper's right hand post.

It was then a case of if you get it wrong get it right next time. Given's long ball on 38 minutes was headed back in from the right by Robert to Kluivert.

His ball for Shearer bursting into the right side of the penalty area was inch perfect and the skipper rifled home number nine of the season, his fifth in Europe this term and number 182 of his Newcastle career.

The Magpies' need for a second goal was still apparent and ten minutes after the re-start it duly arrived.

Robert delivered his second curling corner in succession and the delivery had Mamaladze in all sorts of trouble.

His punch was weak and vertical and when Nemsadze headed half clear Bellamy volleyed home from ten yards.

A few minutes later Jenas had the chance to lay Bellamy's second goal of the night on a plate for the Welshman but the England midfielder's through ball was far too heavy.

On 69 minutes with the game safe Souness replaced Elliott with Bramble and Bowyer with Darren Ambrose.

A few minutes later, with Sunday's visit of Fulham firmly on his mind, the Scot sent on James Milner for Shearer.

This was after Shearer had the ball in the net for the second time of the night only to be ruled offside after Mamaladze had saved from Robert's free-kick.

Robert's effort was saved as the clock ticked down before Kluivert had the chance to put icing on the cake, only for his injury time effort to be cleared off the line following good work from Milner.