Newcastle’s return to the Champions League after greater than 20 seasons away finally led to heartbreak as they dropped out of Europe altogether because of a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.
Eddie Howe’s facet knew they had been outsiders to achieve the final 16 going into matchday six, with victory over Milan a necessity, whereas in addition they wanted Paris Saint-Germain to lose or draw away to Borussia Dortmund.
It was all going Newcastle’s manner at half-time, with Joelinton rifling them in entrance and PSG being held in Germany.
A Dortmund objective sparked extra celebrations at St James’ Park however it all fell aside for the Magpies, with Christian Pulisic levelling for Milan and PSG pulling a objective again inside a matter of minutes.
Because it has so typically completed amid their harm disaster, fatigue appeared to hamper Newcastle within the closing levels, with Milan belatedly rising into the sport.
The hammer blow got here within the 84th minute when Samuel Chukwueze completed a lethal counter-attack that dropped Newcastle to fourth in Group F – and going through as much as the actual fact Milan had pipped them to the Europa League play-off spot.
How hope turned to despair for Newcastle
The primary 45 minutes couldn’t have gone any higher for Newcastle, with PSG lacking likelihood after likelihood in Dortmund and Joelinton smashing a shot into the highest nook from the sting of the realm to place them forward towards Milan.
It ought to have been two for the Magpies however Fikayo Tomori produced an impressive goal-line deal with to forestall Miguel Almiron from tapping the ball into the empty web.
Milan had been barely within the sport within the first half, with a wayward Rafael Leao shot their solely second of pleasure.
However Pulisic’s objective – a close-range end after a low cross bobbled round Newcastle’s space – got here out of nowhere and turned the encounter on its head.
Mike Maignan then produced a surprising save to tip Bruno Guimaraes’ shot onto the crossbar, earlier than Leao hit the publish with solely Martin Dubravka to beat.
Phrase of a PSG comeback in Germany unfold extra nerves across the floor, whereas weary Newcastle legs supplied hope of a Milan winner.
It was offered by Chukwueze, who took benefit of Fabian Schar’s involvement in a Newcastle assault by ending a fluid Milan counter to silence St James’ Park.
Newcastle simply couldn’t rouse themselves for a stirring finale and it was Milan who appeared the most definitely to attain one other, with Tomori hanging the publish and Theo Hernandez capturing extensive after Dubravka had gone ahead for a nook.
The ultimate whistle was greeted by applause from the house followers, who had been eager to acknowledge the efforts of their beleaguered gamers on an evening that had promised a lot however finally delivered so little.
These supporters will at all times have the reminiscence of beating PSG 4-1 in October – however it’s house defeats to Milan and Dortmund which have finally price Newcastle.
Howe: We won’t give attention to PSG penalty
Howe admitted he was “devastated” at Newcastle’s elimination however insisted they can not suppose what might have been had PSG not been awarded a controversial late penalty within the 1-1 attract Paris final month.
Talking to TNT Sports activities, Howe stated: “We gave everything to the match. I couldn’t ask any more of the players in terms of effort, commitment, physical exertion. Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t to be.
“I believed there have been some actually good bits in our efficiency. We had been dominant at occasions. We did not defend the 2 objectives properly sufficient.
“It was very much end to end. Both teams were desperate to win. It made for a very good game.
“It wasn’t our best technical performance. We’re not pleased with that on the night but we did create chances and we’re devastated not to go through.
“It might be silly of me to look again at that [PSG penalty] second now and produce up outdated stuff. We had the chance tonight to do what we wanted to do.
“But it’s not through a lack of effort. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve given physically and mentally, and we’ve given everything out on the pitch. We will learn from it and we will absorb everything we need to take into our Premier League form.
“We have realized a lot, the worth of the squad initially. That has been what uncovered us – the actual fact we have not had the power to utilise the squad we created and it has been a giant frustration for us.”
Merson ‘anxious’ for Newcastle
Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson talking on Soccer Particular:
“Newcastle got tired. They didn’t know whether to stick or twist when they were 1-0 up.
“When PSG went 1-0 down in Dortmund, AC Milan acquired busier. Abruptly, they might have gone by had they gained and PSG misplaced.
“It then became too open. AC Milan opened the game up and there was shot after shot and no midfield and it was end to end.
“You appeared on the high quality of the gamers AC Milan introduced on with recent legs, and when Newcastle wished to go gung-ho, they introduced Alexander Isak on the left wing. He appeared a bit misplaced on the market on the left.
“In the end, Milan could have scored one or two goals. But the game changer was the Mike Maignan save from Bruno Guimaraes.
“Newcastle did not actually do sufficient to get out of this group – however it was a troublesome one. It wasn’t like Man Utd’s one. Anyone might have gone by on this one and anybody might have gone out, bar PSG.
“I’m a bit worried for Newcastle at the moment. They were a bit bare and they were a bit ahead of their time getting into the top four last year.
“If you happen to take a look at final season, that they had 5 or 6 gamers going to the max. Are they ok gamers to provide that week in, week out, 12 months in, 12 months out? I am unsure that is the case.
“At the moment, they could fall short in getting into the top four and next week’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Chelsea is now basically a cup final. Both teams need to win.”
How Newcastle’s exit harms England’s coefficient
Hopes amongst Premier League sides had been excessive at first of the season that they might be in line for a fifth Champions League spot as soon as the up to date format is adopted subsequent season.
With 4 further spots accessible within the competitors from the 2024/25 season, two might be offered to the nations with the 2 finest UEFA coefficient rankings on the finish of the present marketing campaign.
Two factors are awarded to a rustic for each win their sides obtain in UEFA competitions, with one level for a draw.
Bonus factors are earned for every stage to which a rustic’s sides progress.
However with Newcastle following Manchester United out of Europe altogether, England have dropped behind Germany and Italy within the coefficient desk.
That might be a troublesome hole to make up given 50 per cent of England’s sides are already out of the Champions League, whereas Germany and Italy every have three sides within the final 16.
Opta stats: Miley breaks Walcott’s report
- Newcastle have completed backside of a Champions League group for the primary time, whereas it’s the second time in 2023/24 an English crew has completed fourth (additionally Man Utd) – just one time fewer than in all different seasons mixed (Blackburn in 1995/96, Man Utd in 2005/06 and Man Metropolis in 2012/13).
- Newcastle have misplaced consecutive house matches in main European competitors for the primary time, shedding to Borussia Dortmund in October and Milan tonight.
- On the age of 17 years and 226 days, Newcastle’s Lewis Miley grew to become the youngest participant to help a objective for an English membership in Champions League historical past, breaking Theo Walcott’s report (17 years, 250 days in November 2006 for Arsenal).
- Miley grew to become solely the fourth Englishman to start out a couple of Champions League sport earlier than turning 18, together with Josh McEachran (2), Phil Foden (2) and Jude Bellingham (8).
What’s subsequent?
Newcastle return to Premier League motion on Saturday after they host Fulham; kick-off 3pm.
The Magpies then journey to Chelsea within the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, dwell on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 8pm.
AC Milan’s subsequent sport is at house to Monza in Serie A on Sunday; kick-off 11.30am. Stefano Pioli’s facet then journey to Salernitana on Friday December 22; kick-off 7.45pm.