Competition: UEFA Cup Semi-final Season: 2003/04 Not since our Fairs Cup triumph in 1969 had Newcastle come this close to reaching a major European final. But, in the end, it proved to be the nadir of Sir Bobby Robson's reign at St James' Park and the precursor to a slow burning malaise that would culminate in relegation to the Championship five years later. Our inability to muster a single goal against Marseille in three hours of play told its own story on a night when scoring was of the utmost importance. Having held our French opponents to a goalless draw in the first-leg on home turf - generally viewed as a positive result - the Magpies knew an early goal at the Stade Veledrome would leave them firmly in the ascendency and leave the hosts chasing the game. What we didn't foresee was a woefully inept performance that saw us barely threaten Fabien Barthez never mind come close to putting the ball between his posts. Some might say the players were overawed by the occasion but the truth is they didn't have the stomach and reinforced that theory with an infuriatingly spiritless surrender. "What a bloody waste of time, money and air miles," NUFC.com wrote in a profound conclusion to their post-match analysis. Easily undone twice by Didier Drogba, who would join Chelsea shortly after, a special mention must go to Hugo Viana for the free pass he bestowed upon the Ivory Coast forward to break the deadlock in the 18th minute. The goal that effectively abolished our scant dreams of European glory.
