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Marveaux's Perfect Ten
Written by Newcastle Utd
Sylvain Marveaux marked his tenth Europa League appearance of the season with an eye-catching display against Anzhi
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
No Newcastle United player has made more Europa League appearances this term than Sylvain Marveaux.
And the Frenchman showed his teammates once again just how its done on the continental stage as the Magpies booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Papiss Cisse grabbed a stoppage-time winner to see off Anzhi Makhachkala at St. James' Park with a 1-0 aggregrate victory, rising highest to head home with the final touch of the match.
Marveaux was the architect, cutting in off the right touchline to swing an inch-perfect cross onto the striker's head, and he was in superb form throughout on a memorable night on Tyneside.
Not for the first team either in European action, following on from eye-catching displays against the likes of Club Brugges, Maritimo and Metalist Kharkiv.
And it is a tournament which has been kind to the former Rennes man, who was making his tenth Europa League appearance of the season.
"At first, it was the only way for me to play!" joked the midfield schemer.
"I wasn't playing in the Premier League earlier in the year so I had to try and take my chance in the Europa League.
"It's a very open style of football and you have more time on the ball, so maybe it suits me quite well. But it has also let me show the manager what I can do and show I can play whenever he needs me.
"I just want to play. I'm here, doing my job, I'm in form and hopefully the manager will pick me again on Sunday."
Marveaux was outstanding against United's Russian opponents, constantly tormenting their rearguard with his trickery and movement.
And the 26-year-old believes Newcastle were worthy winners.
"It was a hard game, very intense, and the last goal was a big relief for us," he explained.
"But we deserved it and I'm really happy. We had more possession of the ball and had plenty of chances, especially when they got the red card.
"It was all about finding that moment, and Papiss is a goalscorer so we knew he was going to deliver."