The Peruvian and his Irish team-mate, along with Gary Speed both making club record-equalling 27th European appearances, were the protagonists in a tense clash with Partizan on their skipper’s 33rd birthday.

If the record books will show that Newcastle won the game 1-0, thanks to Solano’s 39th-minute strike, Given’s role was absolutely central as he produced four stunning saves, two of them in injury time, to keep out Lothar Matthaus’ men.

A superb defensive display from Jonathan Woodgate at the heart of the Newcastle defence laid the foundation for victory as Partizan toiled in vain for long periods, but on the rare occasions when the rearguard he marshalled so well was breached, Given was more than equal to the task.

Newcastle will welcome the Serbs to St James’ Park in a fortnight’s time knowing that a draw will be enough to clinch their £15million Champions League jackpot, although well aware that the job, if started, is far from complete.

The Magpies arrived the Partizan Stadium knowing exactly what to expect, and they were not to be disappointed as the home fans served up the traditional welcome.

The travelling supporters, around 100 of whom had spent the afternoon at the British Ambassador’s city residence after initially being told they could not leave their hotel, were massively out-numbered, but there was little chance of Robson’s troops suffering from a sense of inferiority on the pitch.

Partizan flew out of the traps with the dangerous Ivica Iliev causing all sorts of problems in attack, but with Jonathan Woodgate having the sort of game which first won him England recognition, they had little to show for their share of the possession.

Indeed, it was not until the final minute of the first half that Given had a genuine save to make, although when it came, it was a vital one.

The Irishman went full length to keep out Igor Duljaj’s 20-yard drive after Andrija Delibasic had for once carved a path through the Newcastle rearguard, the keeper turning the ball away as the home fans rose from their seats.

And the importance of that stop could not be over-estimated, coming as it did barely five minutes after the visitors had taken the lead.

Speed and Laurent Robert combined well on the left to create half a yard of space for the Frenchman, and although Shearer appeared to be dragged to the ground as he attempted to stab the ball past keeper Ivica Kralj, Solano followed up to slide a shot into the bottom corner.

The goal was just reward for a battling first 45 minutes during which Newcastle did not – indeed, could not afford – to relax for a second with Iliev and Mlijove Circovic working well out wide and skipper Sasa Ilic and Duljaj supporting well from midfield.

But although Shearer and strike partner Craig Bellamy enjoyed few clear-cut openings, the Newcastle captain’s aerial ability and the Welshman’s pace were constant threats.

The goal and Given’s subsequent heroics seemed to take the wind out of Partizan’s sails, and although they returned with just as much vigour after the break, they rarely looked like hitting back until the death throes of the game.

Indeed, Given found himself a virtual spectator for much of the half, having to come to field a series of aimless crosses, but other than an early flurry during which Nikola Malbasa fired into the side-netting, never with any undue concern.

Newcastle, having learnt the lessons of last year’s Champions League campaign, kept their cool and simply tried to close the game down, a tactic which clearly frustrated the Serbian champions, who had Nenad Dordevic, substitute Mlan Stojanoski and former Derby defender Taribo West booked in quick succession.

Newcastle too managed to pick up no fewer than five second-half bookings as the clock ran down, but it was then that they needed Given to be at his best once again.

With 10 minutes remaining, Partizan found a gap and Iliev homed in on goal looking certain to level, but the Irishman stood firm to save with his legs and preserve his side’s advantage.

After struggling to mount a serious attack for 35 minutes, the Serbs suddenly discovered their shooting boots at the death, but fortunately for Newcastle, Given had no intention of surrendering his clean sheet.

First he acrobatically turned away Nikola Malbasa’s long-range effort in injury time and then somehow managed to block substitute Milan Stojanoski’s point-blank shot seconds later, getting his slice of luck when Ilic headed the rebound wide with the goal yawning.