Barca give Newcastle rude awakening

Bobby Robson's summer rebuilding work looks far from finished after his reshaped Newcastle defence were torn apart by Barcelona last night.

Nikos Dabizas and his new £5million central defensive partner Titus Bramble were repeatedly exposed as Newcastle went down 3-0 six days before their Champions League qualifier at Zeljeznicar.

Newcastle had chances in front of a capacity 52,000 St James' crowd but goals from Patrick Kluivert and Javier Saviola gave Barca the initiative.

By the 49th minute it was three as Mendieta teed up Luis Enrique. Middlesbrough fans were given a treat as Juninho put them 1-0 up against Alaves after 10 minutes. Boro's other big money buy, Massimo Maccarone, made it 2-0 and £5million George Boateng put Boro three up. Martin Astudillo pulled one back in the 29th minute and Jordi Cruyff added a second late on.

Chelsea lost their opening 45-minute clash in the Birra Moretti Trophy at Bari last night against Juventus 2-0, the goals coming from Edgar Davids and Mauro Camoranesi, then went down 3-0 to Inter Milan, who celebrated a Mohammed Kallon double and a single strike from Christian Vieri.