Antoine "The Leap" Wins Over Toon Army

The Frenchman dragged Glenn Roeder's men back into the tie after the Spaniards had taken a ninth-minute lead.

It was Sibierski's fourth strike for the club, and his third in Europe, and certainly proved he is well worth the faith the manager put in him when he signed him on a free transfer from Manchester City during the summer.

He wasn't even in City's first team squad at the time, but he has been a star in our European campaign this season.

His style is very much like that of Wyn "The Leap" Davies, who helped United win the Fairs Cup back in 1969. No frills, not the fastest, but so difficult to mark when the ball is lofted into the middle.

The Spanish defenders didn't know how to deal with him, and at one point a defender kicked him in the ribs when he leapt for a header.

Roeder: "He is a very modest man and a lovely man to work with. He is a fantastic professional who lives the right way and plays the sort of technical game Newcastle United supporters like to see.

"I guess with those supporters who did not know too much about him, he started from a point that if he did not cost any money, he would not be too good.

"But I remember Sibierski from when I watched him at Lens when I was at West Ham, and I came very close to buying him then, so I knew what I was taking.

"I felt very fortunate not having to pay any money at all for his services.

"He is proving he is a very valuable member of our squad. He has chipped in with some hugely important goals, especially in Europe."

Sibierski's goal arrived on 36 minutes when he headed a James Milner cross past goalkeeper Esteban Suarez.