13 December 2023 , 21:56
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Newcastle have been knocked out of the Champions League after losing 2-1 to AC Milan at St James' Park on Wednesday.
Eddie Howe's side needed to win and hope that Paris Saint-Germain couldn't repeat the feat in their final group match against Borussia Dortmund to reach the knockout stages. Joelinton opened the scoring the Magpies, but second-half goals from Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze ensured Newcastle finished bottom of their group.
PSG secured a 1-1 draw in Germany after Warren Zaire-Emery cancelled out Karim Adeyemi's goal. Milan will now play in the Europa League, setting up a potential clash against Liverpool later in the season. Here are the main talking points from St James' Park...
Karius' wait continues
A lot of the talk before Wednesday's game was on Howe's goalkeeping dilemma. Nick Pope may not play again this season after undergoing surgery on the shoulder he injured earlier this month, while Martin Dubravka was struggling with his own shoulder issue.
That left Loris Karius poised to make his first Champions League appearance since the 2018 final, when he made two mistakes in Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid. Yet the German's European comeback was delayed when Dubravka passed a fitness test to start.
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Tomori's brilliant block
Fikayo Tomori produced a stunning tackle to deny Miguel Almiron (Getty Images)What did you make of Newcastle's performance against AC Milan? Let us know in the comments below!
As the crucial clash got underway, St James' Park was as loud as ever. The deafening atmosphere clearly got to Fikayo Tomori, as he sliced an early cross towards his own net. The defender was relieved to see goalkeeper Mike Maignan with the ball in his hands.
The chances flowed for Newcastle after that. Kieran Trippier sent a free kick just wide before Joelinton's deflected effort forced Maignan back into action. Tomori then made up for his blunder by producing a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Miguel Almiron from just a couple of yards out. It seemed only a matter of time before the hosts took the lead.
Joelinton breaks through
Joelinton scored a screamer to give Newcastle the lead (Getty Images)Newcastle's opening goal came in the 33rd minute... and it was quite sensational. Anthony Gordon played the ball to Lewis Miley out wide, only for the teenager to knock it back to Joelinton in the middle. The Brazilian then flicked the ball up and smashed it into the net.
Joelinton's celebration was just as emphatic, as he coolly walked into Callum Wilson's adoring arms before running to the bench to celebrate with Howe and the main man himself, Jason Tindall. As Ally McCoist screamed on commentary: "What a hit mate!"
Pulisic halts the party
Christian Pulisic's goal levelled the game (Getty Images)Things went from good to great for Howe's team in the opening stages of the second half, as Adeyemi scored to give Dortmund the lead. But just as Newcastle fans started dreaming of a trip to Real Madrid or Barcelona, things started to go wrong.
Zaire-Emery equalised for PSG before Pulisic did the same for Milan. Rafael Leao broke down the left flank and found Tomori in the box. The defender fluffed his lines, but the ball broke kindly to an alert Olivier Giroud. He then squared it to Pulisic for a tap in.
Moment of truth
Howe brought on Alexander Isak - as well as local lads Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff - in the hope that someone could find a winner for Newcastle. Yet it was Milan who were victorious after Chukwueze finished off a brilliant counterattack. Heartbreak for Newcastle.