The win gave the Spaniards a 4-2 aggregate win and left a 35,200 crowd at St James's Park digesting another European disappointment.

Last week's first leg clash in Spain saw Alan Shearer snatch an all important away goal to bring back home for the second leg and a chance at playing in one of the three finals from which a place in the UEFA Cup will be up for grabs.

"We defended poorly on two occasions and we were punished for it. We had several good chances and their 'keeper made some excellent saves - but it wasn't our night," said Souness.

Wednesday's bad-tempered clash saw Shearer and Diego Tristan pick up yellow cards for a goalmouth tussle involving Deportivo goalkeeper, Jose Molina just after the half hour mark.

The black and white army battled away at Deportivo's defence and six minutes before the break they got their just reward when James Milner levelled the aggregate scores at 2-2.

The home fans had six minutes to celebrate before they were dealt a major blow when Portuguese midfielder Jorge Andrade levelled on the night.

Winger Pedro Munitis then put the Spanish Liga side in total control in the 48th minute when goalmouth confusion enabled the Spanish international to fire Deportivo 2-1 ahead and into the finals.

Elsewhere, Marseille thumped Lazio 3-0 to win 4-1 on aggregate.

The French side's goals came from the club's three new recruits, Mamadou Niang, Franck Ribery and Andres Mendoza.

Marseille's French rivals, Lens also qualified for the finals after smashing four goals past Wolfsburg to win 4-0 on agregate.

Hamburg won 3-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate after crushing Sigma Olomouc of the Czech Republic while Romanian minnows Cluj booked their place in the finals after ditching Lithuanian side Zalgirus Vilnius.

Former Champions league finalists Valencia thrashed Dutch side Roda Kerkrade 4-0 on aggregate after playing a goalless draw on Wednesday.