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However, the Magpies probably should have improved their goal difference after dominating the match but they lacked a cutting edge up front.

Shearer lashed home the opener after Patrick Kluivert, Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy had all missed chances.

Bellamy volleyed Newcastle's second goal after the break but the scoreline was kind on a poor Tbilisi side.

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness opted to pair skipper Shearer with Dutchman Kluivert through the middle, with Bellamy and Robert occupying the flanks.

On paper it looked a foursome that would prove too formidable for the Tbilisi defence and the Magpies' front line wasted little time in proving the theory.

However, they were wasteful in front of goal and took nearly all of the first half - and countless chances - to score.

Kluivert appeared determined to cement his reputation as a silky striker with an abundance of skills but little of the goalscoring touch.

A superb saving tackle by George Shashiashvili thwarted Kluivert on one occasion, but in numerous others, with both head and foot, the striker was off target.

The profligacy was not exclusive to the Dutchman, however, with Robert and Bellamy also missing good opportunities.

We won 2-0 but how did we miss so many ? From Patricia Have your say on 606

It took the old head of Shearer, or rather his fiercely-accurate right boot, to demonstrate the art of clinical finishing.

After some typically-slick approach play from Kluivert, Shearer emphatically lashed the ball beyond Zurab Mamaladze.

Tbilisi, by contrast, had not created too many problems for the Newcastle defence - a lone header from Melkadze, which drifted wide, their best effort.

After the break, Newcastle continued to boss proceedings, yet lacked ruthlessness.

When Bowyer and Olivier Bernard combined to find Robert, the Frenchman fired in a shot which Mamaladze clumsily turned around the post.

However, Newcastle managed to extend their lead with the help of some awful defending from the visitors.

Robert's corner was punched into the air by Mamaladze and headed into the path of Bellamy by Nemsadze.

This time the Welshman smashed home his volley from close range.

Normal service was soon resumed, though, as the hosts continued to carve through their disorganised opposition.

James Milner, on for Shearer, should have done better than to blaze over after a fine pass from Bellamy found him unmarked in the penalty area.

Then Robert almost added a third after a mazy run and shot but an awkward looking save from Mamaladze kept the ball out.

But it was left to Kluivert to typify Newcastle's evening by directing his close-range shot wide late on.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Elliott (Bramble 69), O'Brien, Bernard, Jenas, Bowyer (Ambrose 64), Robert, Kluivert, Shearer (Milner 74), Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Taylor, Brittain.

Goals: Shearer 38, Bellamy 56.

Dinamo Tbilisi: Mamaladze, Kashia (Silagadze 62), Salukvadze, Shashiashvili, Kandelaki, Nemsadze, Aladashvili (Akhalaia 62), Kankava, Kvirkvelia, Melkadze (Goncharov 81), Mikheil Kakaladze.
Subs Not Used: Zoidze, Dvali, Gigauri, Makharadze.

Booked: Shashiashvili, Kankava.

Att: 27,218