There was no FA Cup upset for Coventry City, who are out of the competition after losing 3-1 against Newcastle United at St James' Park.

It was a deserved result for the home side, who were stronger in all areas of the park than the Sky Blues.

Alan Shearer opened the scoring for the home side when he slotted home with 37 on the clock before Shola Ameobi made it 2-0 on 42 minutes.

City ralled before the end of the half and pulled one back through Dele Adebola, before Celestine Babayaro put the game out of reach with a 52nd minute goal.

Micky Adams made three changes to the side for his first official game in charge.

New boys Richard Duffy and Christian Negouai both made their debuts for Adams' men - Duffy replacing the newly-departed Louis Carey at right-back, while Negouai came into the side for Neil Wood in midfield.

Stuart Giddings started at left-back in favour of Steve Staunton after the England Under 19 international recovered from a foot injury which had kept him out for the last few weeks.

The Sky Blues suffered misfortune in the first minute when Morrell landed funnily following a challenge from Babayaro and was subsequently stretchured off, to be replaced by Dele Adebola. It was an immediate blow for City, who immediately had to adjust their formation to accommodate, with Doyle moving to the right hand side of midfield and Adebola slotting in an unfamiliar position on the left.

Newcastle were on top from the start but didn't create their first real chance of the game until 11 minutes, when Babayaro struck a speculative shot from 25 yards which forced Steele to push round the post.

Kluivert was the next to threaten as he struck side two minutes later and as the visitors defended in numbers, Steele produced another fantastic save - this time as Jenas headed a Dyer cross towards goal.

Dyer was again provider on 21 minutes - this time as Kluivert struck it wide from the edge of the box - before Souness' men had claims for a penalty when Adebola challenged Kluivert in the box. However, the referee was quick to wave play on.

City created the side's first chance of the half on 29 minutes when Negouai shot wide after getting the better of Bramble. As Adams' men struggled to get into the game, the manager made another tactical switch, with Adebola moving to the right and McSheffrey dropping back wide on the left as the side adopted a 4-5-1 formation.

Kluivert shot tamely into the arms of Steele with 34 on the clock but the breakthrough came on 37 minutes.

Jenas weaved in from the left and spotted Shearer on the right hand side of the box and the Newcastle captain made no mistake as coolly slotted home to continue his excellent scoring record against the Sky Blues.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0. Ameobi shrugged off the challenge of Giddings as he cut in from the right hand touchline and after dancing his way into the penalty area, the England Under 21 striker made no mistake with another excellent finish for Souness' men.

City had the ball in the back of the net by Stern John just before the break, only for the whistle to have already gone for offside. But the visitors did pull one back just before the half-time whistle - Adebola heading well into the back of the net from Hughes' well-delivered corner to give the Championship side some hope going into the second period.

Steele was forced into action early in the second half when he palmed away Dyer's dangerous shot on 49 minutes. And the worst did happen on 52 minutes when Babayaro made it 3-1. The Nigerian international got the bette of Duffy and rifled his shot into the back of the net, courtesy of a deflection off Williams.

It was almost 4-1 on 61 minutes. Shearer centred the ball from the right for Kluivert, who saw the ball ricochet back off the inside of the crossbar before the Sky Blues hacked it to safety. Kluivert threatened again on 74 minutes - this time as he shot into the arms of Steele after turning on the edge of the box.

But it was Coventry City with a rare chance on 78 minutes - Giddings crossing for John, who headed over.

The Sky Blues made a double substitution with 79 gone - Johnson and Jorgensen replacing McSheffrey and John, while Aaron Hughes came on for debutant Amdy Faye on 81 minutes.

COVENTRY: Steele; Duffy; Giddings; Negouai; Williams; Leacock; Morrell; Hughes; McSheffrey; John; Doyle.

Subs: Shearer; Shaw; Johnson; Jorgensen; Adebola.

NEWCASTLE: Harper; Carr; O'Brien; Bramble; Babayaro; Dyer; Faye; Jenas; Kluivert; Shearer; Ameobi.

Subs: Given; Taylor; Milner; Robert; Hughes

Attendance: 44044