GREAT things can flourish from humble beginnings, which may be a positive notion for Newcastle United to consider after one of the least ferocious introductions to a season in recent memory. With no new signings in the team and little enthusiasm for a competition that is more of a chore than a privilege, they returned to Tyneside last night with a victory that rarely veered from the routine.

Graeme Souness is not an unqualified zealot for the Intertoto Cup, but a tournament that can offer a back-door entrance to meaningful European football also offers danger to the Newcastle manager, who is required to appease his chairman’s ambition, juggle slender resources and protect his position. This represented a solid start that answered precisely no questions about what lies in store over the next ten months.

ZTS Dubnica did not make for the most enterprising or stern opponents and, had they deigned to exert themselves thoroughly, Newcastle could have added significantly to the two goals they scored in the opening six minutes. Saturday’s second leg of this third-round tie should be a formality, although the recurrence of a hesitancy in defence did not provoke cast-iron confidence for what follows next.

Michael Chopra scored his first senior goal for his home-town club, beating the offside trap before drilling the ball low into the net, and then Martin Svestka had the misfortune to deflect a fierce shot from Charles N’Zogbia into his own goal. Alan Shearer made sure, but the referee’s assistant had signalled that the ball had crossed the line and Uefa credited it to N’Zogbia. The great man will have to wait for his 193rd Newcastle goal, although he was insistent that he got the final touch.

Lukas Tesak, the Dubnica left winger, benefited from a free header shortly before the interval, raising local hopes of recovery, but they were dashed by James Milner, who lobbed in superbly from 25 yards in the 70th minute. Milner also hit the post after dribbling into the penalty area and rounding Dusan Pernis.

Milner and N’Zogbia were lively, but otherwise there was a unspectacular tone to Newcastle’s performance. Scott Parker, Emre Belözoglu and Jermaine Jenas did not travel to Slovakia, while Lee Bowyer, who may be bound for Charlton Athletic, and Kieron Dyer, who had a hamstring strain, were spectators. Nicky Butt and Amdy Faye formed a rigid, static partnership in central midfield.

Souness could not even fill the substitutes’ bench and is adamant that he requires a further five players before the Barclays Premiership campaign begins next month. Luis Boa Morte, the Fulham forward, is one of his leading targets, as is Nicolas Anelka, the France striker, who left Manchester City for Fenerbahçe in the January transfer window.

“We’re happy with the result,” Souness said. “I played virtually the only team that was available to us. We had some big players missing and we’ve only been training for two weeks. With what we had out there, we have to be quite pleased.”

Souness agreed that Chopra will remember his second starting appearance for Newcastle for the rest of his life, but without the kind of warmth that suggests he is considered a long-term candidate to play alongside Shearer. In a region renowned for its armaments production, Chopra demonstrated his capacity for firepower, but Anelka and one more forward are still required.

Anelka was quoted yesterday on Fenerbahçe’s website proclaiming loyalty to his Turkish employers, which does not tally with Souness’s contention that the 26-year-old is “desperate” to leave for St James’ Park. Movement is expected. “The chairman is dealing with all that,” Souness said. There will be more severe tests, but a tricky hurdle has been overcome.

ZTS DUBNICA (4-5-1): D Pernis — D Pleva, R Novak, M Svestka, M Zimen — M Izvolt (sub: E Grendel, 68min), P Kiska (sub: T Brusko, 78), P Kopacka, I Drzik (sub: M Filo, 84), L Tesak — M Adam. Substitutes not used: M Postrk, J Svikruha, R Skultety, P Augustini.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): S Harper — S Taylor, J-A Boumsong, R Elliott, C Babayaro — J Milner, N Butt, A Faye, C N’Zogbia — A Shearer, M Chopra (sub: M Brittain, 58). Substitutes not used: S Given, P Ramage, P Huntington.

Referee: Y Alon (Israel).

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