[Mighty T.A.L.]

A bumper St James' Park crowd was sent home happy as Newcastle claimed the scalp of Juventus with an impressive 2-0 victory.

Sam Allardyce's ranks were somewhat depleted by injury, but the new Magpies chief will be delighted with what he saw from his charges on Sunday.

Bright in attack and resolute at the back, Newcastle were on the front foot for much of the first period and although their opening goal was somewhat fortuitous, it was also well deserved.

James Milner's burst into Juventus' box was typically direct, but the touch he received from Jonathan Zebina appeared to be minimal, and from the penalty spot a rejuvenated Albert Luque made no mistake.

The Spaniard's time in the North East, though, appears to be cursed as on the half-hour mark he was replaced injured.

On came the much-lauded 18-year-old striker Andrew Carroll and before the break he showed just why he is so highly thought of, courtesy of an arched finish, on the rebound, past Gianluigi Buffon, after the big Italian had repelled Obafemi Martins' snap-shot.

Carroll was fortunate not to be injured when Buffon unnecessarily steamed into him as the first half drew to its close, but not before Pavel Nedved brought a sharp stop from Shay Given and David Trezeguet hammered just over.

Peter Ramage went close with a far-post header that Buffon saved smartly, while Kieron Dyer - the subject of intense transfer conjecture - should have scored in the second half after coming off the bench.

The second 45 minutes were somewhat more fragmented, due to both sides making a plethora of changes but overall, Allardyce will be more than pleased with what his players showed, against a side tipped to prosper next season in Serie A.

Source: Skysports