And although Brazilian Branca pulled one back on 26 minutes, Lomana LuaLua added a third 13 minutes before the break to effectively wrap up their first points of the second group phase.

“If we had not won tonight, I think our chance would have gone,” said Robson on ITV2.

“But we have got the three points and on the evidence of tonight, without being overconfident, I think we can do it again.

“There are still a couple of other fixtures to play, so it is a little bit in our own hands really.”

Robson praised the efforts of his young attackers, who had stepped into the front line because of suspensions to skipper Alan Shearer and Welsh international Craig Bellamy.

He added: “They won us the game early on and Shola took his chance very well and LuaLua produced a great finish too.

“We scrambled a little bit in the second half. They came out with a bit of real honest endeavour and made it more difficult for us, but we were always in command.”

Robson also revealed there was a slight injury worry over LuaLua, who was substituted towards the end of the match.

The Newcastle manager said: “He slightly twisted his knee at half-time. We hope it is not too

severe.”