Newcastle United played host to Anzhi Makhachkala for the second leg of the Europa League last-16 tie between the two sides.
There was all to play for ahead of kickoff following last week's goalless draw in Russia.
The visitors dominated the first period, but Newcastle took control after their opponents were reduced to 10 men due to Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez's dismissal for a second bookable offence.
Just as the game appeared destined for extra time, Papiss Cisse headed a stoppage-time winner for the Magpies to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Find out how all the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of tonight's Europa League clash between Newcastle United and Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala. There's just under an hour to go ahead of kickoff, but we have team news and build-up for you before then.
Both starting XIs are coming up...
NEWCASTLE: Elliot; Santon, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara; Anita, Tiote, Cabaye; Marveaux, Cisse, Sissoko
SUBS: Harper, Perch, Bigirimana, Obertan, Gutierrez, Campbell, Shola Ameobi
SUBS: Harper, Perch, Bigirimana, Obertan, Gutierrez, Campbell, Shola Ameobi
ANZHI: Gabulov; Eschenko, Ewerton, Joao Carlos, Zhirkov; Jucilei, Ahmedov, Diarra; Boussoufa, Eto'o, Carcela-Gonzalez
SUBS: Pomazan, Agalarov, Tagirbekov, Shatov, Logashov, Traore, Smolov
SUBS: Pomazan, Agalarov, Tagirbekov, Shatov, Logashov, Traore, Smolov
Magpies boss Alan Pardew has made a statement of intent by naming a strong Newcastle XI. There are a few changes for the hosts - Massadio Haidara replaces Mathieu Debuchy in defence, while Vurnon Anita and Sylvain Marveaux make the starting lineup.
Pardew has his sights set on winning this competition. Here's what he had to say ahead of kickoff: "We are in it to win it. There's no point saying to me, 'Would the quarter-finals be a great achievement for you in your managerial career?'.
"It would be something I could put on my CV, but it wouldn't really mean much to me unless I win the trophy. I have been to the FA Cup final twice and lost twice, and I see this competition as a higher standard of competition.But I want to win and this club wants to win trophies, so we have a big agenda in front of us."
Pardew's opposite number tonight, former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, has been recently been linked with a return to the Premier League. Here's what he has had to say about that...
"I enjoyed very much the Premier League and my time with Chelsea. The Premier League is what every player likes to do and also the managers and coaches, they like to work in the big leagues, of course. I like very much the attitude of the players I had at Chelsea in my time. I liked very much the atmosphere in the stadiums, the public who enjoy very much and respect very much the way of playing."
Thanks to BBC Sport for those quotes.
This is Newcastle's 12th game in the Europa League this season, an adventure that has seen them visit Greece, Portugal, France, Belgium, Ukraine and Russia. They are one game away from the quarter-finals, and there is all to play for considering the first leg ended in a goalless draw.
They go into this one on a high having won three of their last five matches in all competitions during a run of form that has seen them pull away from the Premier League's relegation zone.
Before we discuss Anzhi's form, let me bring you a quick update from elsewhere. Tottenham Hotspur have surrendered a 3-0 lead from the first leg of their last-16 tie against Inter Milan. A William Gallas own goal has made it 3-3 on aggregate with 15 minutes plus extra time left. You can follow that game live here.
As I was saying, Anzhi's current form is shaky. They have won just one of their last five in all competitions, with their latest league defeat to FC Mordovia Saransk leaving them in second position in the table, five points behind leaders CSKA Moscow.
That said, this is exactly the kind of occasion where you can tear the form book in half. I think it will all come down to whoever draws first blood. If the Russians grab an away goal, I think it will go their way.
Newcastle have not won a major trophy since 1969. Could it be their year? Well, I think that kind of talk is a little premature considering the quality of the teams that remain in this competition.
Newcastle are one of three English clubs in action tonight. Spurs are not faring particularly well in Milan, and Chelsea have a one-goal deficit to overturn as they take on Steaua Bucuresti from 8.05pm tonight. You can follow that one here.
Russian clubs continue to be surprise packages on the European scene. Rubin Kazan booked their place in the quarter-finals of this competition earlier this evening courtesy of a 2-0 win over Levante. You can read our report on that game here.
However, Swiss champions Basel defeated Liverpool's conquerors Zenit 2-1 following a 1-0 victory on home soil. You can find out how that one played out here.
UPDATE: Inter Milan and Spurs have gone to extra time after the Italians netted three in the second leg to level the tie on aggregate. You can follow the conclusion of that one here.
Nervous about the result? Want to 'Cash in your bet'? See how with William Hill.
Just over five minutes to go until kickoff, so I think it's time for a prediction. I can see the Russians edging this tonight, perhaps on the away goals rule. Either way, I think it will be a close game. I'm going with 1-1.
There are more than 40,000 fans in attendance tonight, and they are in fine voice. The two teams are out on the field now. Anzhi are sporting a yellow kit not dissimilar to Norwich City.
Anzhi get the match under way, kicking from right to left. Just a reminder that there is everything to play for in this fixture with the score standing at 0-0 on aggregate.
UPDATE: We have news of a late goal in Milan. Spurs have grabbed one through Emmanuel Adebayor to make it 4-3 to them on aggregate, and give them a vital away goal. Follow all of the action here.
CHANCE! Anzhi fire an early warning shot through Eto'o, who gets in behind the Newcastle defence and drags an effort wide of Elliot's far post. The Magpies defence gave him too much space there and no doubt were relieved to see him miss the target.
Boussoufa fails to get his head to a cross in the danger zone and the ball goes out for a Newcastle throw. Cisse gains possession at the other end moments later and swings in a cross that Gabulov easily claims.
Sissoko attempts to stage an attack but slips at the worst possible moment, causing the move to break down. Neither side has managed to settle into the game yet. The nerves are palpable.
Half-chance for Newcastle as Marveaux goes on a mazy run, twisting and turning before curling one towards goal. It bends wide of the right post and goes out for an Anzhi goalkick.
Here is a nugget for the trivia fans out there. Anzhi have tonight become the first Russian side to play a competitive European at St James' Park. Will it be an evening to remember for them?
Anzhi's Gonzalez has a speculative effort from 30 yards out that sails well wide of the post. There was some neat play between him and Eto'o during the build-up, but it ultimately came to nothing.
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Newcastle were placed under tremendous pressure there. Diarra gained possession in the box, but a last-ditch tackle from Steven Taylor prevents him from having a shot at goal. Great defending from him.
SHOT! Diarra threatens again, striking one from the edge of the area, and its Taylor who gets his body in the way again. Cabaye shoots from distance at the other end, failing to trouble Gabulov.
UPDATE: Ricky Alvarez has found the net for Inter Milan in their game against Tottenham to make it 4-4 on aggregate. Spurs have the away goal but there is still a good 10 minutes of extra time remaining. Is there another twist in that one? Follow it live here.
It is Anzhi who have settled into the game more comfortably. Newcastle have created very little and defended nervously. They need to raise their game or this tie will slip away from them.
Akhmedov picks out Boussofa as Anzhi press forward, but Taylor dispossesses him as he moves towards the 18-yard box. He's been a rock at the back for Newcastle all evening.
More half-chances fall Anzhi's way. First Taylor blocks Jucilei's effort, then Yanga-Mbiwa is forced to intercept Akhmedov's through ball to prevent it reaching the feet of Eto'o.
UPDATE: Spurs are the first English club to reach this season's Europa League quarter-finals. It was a nervy night for them in Milan, but Adebayor's away goal was enough to see them through. Read our full match report here.
Newcastle are starting to apply some pressure of their own. Haidara sent in a cross from the left, which was easily blocked. Marveaux floats a free kick to the back post moments later, but it only goes as far as a yellow shirt.
CHANCE! Yanga-M'Biwa almost commits football suicide from a free kick, playing the ball directly to the feet of Ahmedov, who plays a one-two with Eto'o before firing into the side netting. A real let-off for Newcastle there!
NEWCASTLE SUB: Gutierrez replaces Cabaye as Newcastle make an enforced change. The Frenchman has been playing the past few minutes with an injury and was unable to continue.
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CHANCE! Marveaux's cross finds Taylor on the back post, but his goal-bound header is blocked. Cisse sends the rebound back into the danger zone but Gabulov claims the cross without too much trouble.
Further half-chances for Newcastle Sissoko and Marveaux have both attempted to put crosses into the Anzhi box without success in the last few minutes. It's good to see the Magpies finally on the front foot.
CHANCE! Newcastle could have snatched a lead right on half time as Taylor powers a header over the crossbar. It was Marveaux who picked him out with a cross directly from a free kick after Santon was brought down 40 yards out.
HALF-TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Anzhi Makhachkala
Goalless here at St James' Park and goalless on aggregate. Anzhi had the better of the play in the first half, with Newcastle defender Steven Taylor the busiest man on the pitch. The Magpies need to raise their game in the second period to have any hope off seeing off their opponents.
There were few clear-cut chances for either side to speak of. Newcastle were fortunate not to fall behind in the 37th minute when Yanga-M'Biwa gave the ball away to Ahmedov in a dangerous position, and Taylor could have headed the Magpies in front right on the stroke of half time.
If you've just joined us, you can catch up on all the action from the first half here.
A quick update from tonight's other tie involving an English side: Chelsea are drawing 1-1 with Steaua at Stamford Bridge and need to score twice in the second half to reach the quarter-finals. You can follow that one live here.
We are back under way at St James' Park.
CHANCE! Lively start to the second period as Sissoko floats a header over the crossbar. Gabulov was racing back to his line there as well. I think that would have beaten him had it been a touch lower.
BOOKING! Gonzalez is shown the first yellow card of the evening for bringing down Tiote.
CHANCE! I don't know what Pardew said to his side at half time, but whatever it was it has worked! Marveaux's lofted pass finds Sissoko in the box unmarked, but he scuffs his shot and Anzhi clear the danger.
Ironic cheers ring out around St James' Park as the referee takes a tumble. He takes it in good humour, but his face has taken on a reddish hue.
CHANCE! Newcastle just had a glorious chance to take the lead as Marveaux's cross towards Cisse in the 18-yard box drifts over its target and falls kindly for Taylor just yards out, but the defender fails to get any power behind the shot and directs it straight at Gabulov.
RED CARD! Carcela-Gonzalez is given his marching orders for a second yellow card offence, this time against Haidara. It was a little harsh, but I've seen them given for less. Let's see how Newcastle fare against 10 men.
BOOKING! The ref reaches for his pocket again, this time booking a Newcastle player. Anita is shown the yellow for a dangerous challenge on Ahmedov.
Half-chance for Anzhi as Eto'o gets in between Taylor and Yanga-Mbiwa only to shoot high and wide of the target. His strike is met by ironic applause from the home faithful.
UPDATE! Bringing you up to speed with events at Stamford Bridge: John Terry has pulled a goal back to make it 2-2 on aggregate. Chelsea need one more goal to secure a quarter-final spot.
Newcastle look like they are biding their time here and waging a war of attrition. Santon and Gutierrez have attempted to carve out goalscoring opportunities in the last few minutes.
UPDATE! Chelsea have scored another through Fernando Torres and now lead 3-2 on aggregate! Find out whether they can hold out for the win here.
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NEWCASTLE SUB: Anita is replaced by local youngster Adam Campbell. I think Pardew was right to take him off given that he had picked up a yellow card.
We're approaching the last 15 minutes now and the game looks destined for extra time. Tiote has just let fly from 25 yards to underline Newcastle's desire to win this in normal time. It goes well over the bar, though.
ANZHI SUB: Moments before Tiote let fly, the Russians made their first change, bringing on Shatov for Diarra.
Anzhi remain on the back foot as Newcastle pile on the pressure. Santon gets around his marker and swings in a cross to the back post, forcing Ewerton to head clear. The Russian's are defending deep at the moment.
CHANCE! Eto'o races into the Newcastle area and has a go from a tight angle. With no other yellow shirts to support him, he had to go it alone but was never going to score from there. Elliot parries the shot and the rebound is cleared.
A Marveaux corner falls to Santon out wide and his strike is blocked. Zirkov is booked for going in on Marveaux with a high boot moments later.
UPDATE! Torres has missed a penalty at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea remain 3-2 up on aggregate.
OFF THE WOODWORK! Boussoufa strikes a free kick from 25 yards out and it comes back off the crossbar! The Russians have just come agonisingly close to snatching a late winner!
Three minutes of stoppage time to be played, then it's extra time and quite possibly a penalty shootout!
Marveaux swings in a stoppage time corner that Gabulov punches clear. All credit to Anzhi for holding on with ten men. Newcastle have put them under some severe pressure in this second half, but they have withstood it.
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GOAL! Newcastle United 1-0 Anzhi Makhachkala (Cisse)
Oh my word! They've done it! Newcastle snatch a last-gasp winner as Marveaux swings in a cross for Cisse at point-blank range, and he heads past Gabulov to steal a dramatic late winner.
FULL-TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Anzhi Makhachkala
And there goes the final whistle as Newcastle's hero Cisse celebrates his dramatic late goal! It came out of nowhere, but was no less than the Magpies deserved based on their second half display.
Newcastle reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, becoming one of three English sides to make it through to the last eight as Chelsea held on to progress 3-2 against Steaua Bucuresti. Spurs edged past Inter Milan on the away goals rule earlier this evening.
That's all from me this evening, but stick with Sports Mole for all the fallout from this evening's Europa League fixtures. Thanks for joining us!
