Newcastle, Anzhi share spoils

[Shola Sholaz]

Newcastle, with seven Frenchmen in the line-up, carved out a 0-0 draw against Anzhi Makhachkala in their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, ending the Russians' 100 percent home record in the tournament.
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In a game of few opportunities, and in front of a smattering of fans inside a freezing Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Magpies' manager Alan Pardew won the night's tactical battle against wily Guus Hiddink.
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The stalemate gave Newcastle the edge ahead of the second leg on Tyneside next week with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
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Anzhi's frustrations were perfectly summed up when €30 million signing Willian limped out of the game early in the first half.
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The Russians had the better opportunities to break the deadlock with Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o wasting three chances.
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At the other end, playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa, returning after a three-month injury absence, and one of Newcastle's French contingent in the starting eleven, had a chip saved by Vladimir Gabulov in the Anzhi goal.