Howe's Newcastle heroes robbed of famous Champions League night after VAR farce
It finished in frustration and heartbreak for Newcastle.
When it really should have been a night for heroes as Eddie Howe’s warriors were robbed of a famous European night. Instead, Newcastle were left rueing a 98th-minute penalty decision against them after a VAR check which will spark the handball debate all over again.
Kylian Mbappe stepped up, smashed home from the spot after Newcastle’s Tino Livramento was adjudged to have handled Ousamane Dembele’s cross. The ball deflected up off Livramento’s body, onto his arm and referee Szymon Marciniak gave the penalty after going across to his screen.
It probably would not have been given in the Premier League, it looked so hard, but UEFA rules are stricter on handball and that is what ultimately cost Newcastle a night of glory. They can still do it. They can still reach the Champions League knock-out stages - they must beat AC Milan and hope Paris Saint-Germain do not win at Borussia Dortmund - and no-one should forget the significance of the result in the Parc des Princes.
Defeat would have ended their Champions League campaign but they are still in their fighting and if they show as much determination and heart in two week’s time then they have still got a great chance. The 2,000 travelling fans over in the far corner applauded them off as heroes at the final whistle and they deserved it. They were magnificent.
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Newcastle were up against the odds, in the Group of Death and facing a crippling injury list and yet they responded with a performance full of defiance. They were a dodgy injury time penalty away from arguably their greatest ever Champions League result. They have waited 20 years to get back in the competition and whatever happens now they can hold their heads up high.
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Newcastle smashed PSG 4-1 at St James’s Park two months ago and pushed them all the way in the Parc des Princes to prove they belong in Europe’s elite competition. Newcastle keeper Nick Pope was heroic, producing sensational saves while Anthony Gordon ran his heart out and stretched the home side’s defence all night.
Newcastle were furious after PSG were awarded a 98th-minute penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Livramento was magnificent and he was the last person who deserved the penalty to go against him. Spare a thought for Newcastle’s 17-year-old rookie Lewis Miley who was fantastic on his first ever Champions League night. What a start to his career. Miguel Almiron played the second half in obvious pain but refused to give up.
Newcastle started nervously but got better and deserved to go ahead after 24 minutes. Livramento danced across the face of the penalty box, Almiron’s low shot was horribly spilled by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alexander Isak was on hand to tap in the rebound.
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PSG chased the game, Newcastle’s goal lived a charmed life at times as Pope produced save after save. Dembele and Fabian Ruiz went agonisingly close. Newcastle centre halves Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar defended as if their lives depended on it. Mbappe saw one close range shot saved by Pope and fired the rebound wide from point blank range.
It looked like Newcastle had survived. And then heartbreak struck. It was so tough on Newcastle. They deserved more. We will be talking about the penalty and the handball for a long time after this. But ultimately, Newcastle will feel aggrieved not just because of the decision but because their performance deserved more.
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