Bobby Robson has lamented the ‘freak goal’ which condemn Newcastle to defeat against Barcelona at Camp Nou last night.

Missing Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy through suspension, Newcastle fell behind early on when Dani scored, but the outstanding Shola Ameobi levelled after 24minutes. Patrick Kluivert restored the home side’s advantage before the break, but Robson felt the third goal – scored as Newcastle were pressing for a leveller early in the second half – was the key moment.

Robson said: ‘We lost to a freak goal in the secondhalf when we were 2-1 down – the corner seemed to go straight in.

‘I don’t know whether Shay Given missed the cross and Keiron Dyer got caught half asleep on the post.

‘But it cost us dearly. At 2-1 you always have a chance – 3-1 just takes a bit of enterprise away from you. We never stopped, I’m just a bit sorry with the result.’

Robson was quick to praise Ameobi, saying: ‘I thought young Shola was outstanding – he had a hat-trick of chances and a good shot. He could have gone off a hero.

‘I thought the kid had a very, very good game. He looked a real handful.’