PSG 1-1 Newcastle United: Dominic Scurr reaction

Dominic Scurr reflects on Newcastle United's 1-1 draw at PSG in the Champions League.

Transcript

00:00 San Germain 1, Newcastle United 1 here at the Parc des Princes this evening.

00:05 Being kicked out the stadium but you can still tell why I'm hopefully.

00:09 Sapping results for Newcastle United, really, really disappointing

00:13 considering the level of defensive performance Newcastle put in.

00:18 The valiant backs to the wall, digging in deep.

00:22 When they were just up against it with a depleted squad,

00:25 Eddie Howe didn't even have the luxury to make any substitutions tonight as such.

00:29 He didn't make any but there was nothing really on the bench to help him change the game.

00:34 But Alex Anders had gave Newcastle a lead, great work from Tino Livramento.

00:38 Miguel Almiron who's shot is spilled and this I can't miss.

00:42 First Champions League goal for Newcastle in over 20 years.

00:45 It's nice to, the travelling Newcastle fans have had something to celebrate on the road this season.

00:51 And yeah, from that point on I thought Newcastle were good value for the 1-0 lead at half-time.

00:57 Second half was a different story, PSG really threw the kitchen sink at them.

01:02 And really, just as the noise blares around me, were really, really pushing for that equaliser.

01:08 Nick Pope had a great game, made a lot of excellent saves to keep Newcastle leading 1-0.

01:14 That narrow lead intact. Some big misses from PSG as well.

01:18 It was a bit like the Milan game in terms of the way the home side created chances.

01:23 Just turned up to 11 and obviously Newcastle with a lead to protect.

01:27 And just when you think it's going to be Newcastle's day, they played so well to Milan.

01:31 Hard to fault anyone really. Tino Livramento, excellent on the night, as I say, played a key role in the goal.

01:38 Gets penalised, Ousmane Dembele's cross, hits off Tino Livramento's chest, then skims his elbow.

01:47 And following a VAR check in PSG protests, as more noise goes on, penalty's awarded.

01:57 And Kylian Mbappe makes no mistake from 12 yards, 98th minute, 1-1.

02:03 And it just feels like Newcastle was a draw from the jaws of victory, if you like.

02:11 I find Newcastle's chances of progressing in the Champions League group just took a significant dent.

02:17 They would have been in control heading into that AC Milan game next month had they got the win here at PSG tonight.

02:23 It would have been equal or better PSG's result in the final game in order to progress.

02:34 But instead, they'd go into the AC Milan game needing to win and needing PSG not to win at Borussia Dortmund.

02:41 So yeah, not really in their hands, but a win would certainly put them in a favourable position if they do that against AC Milan.

02:49 And it would also at least guarantee Europa League football, or their remaining Europe, heading into 2024.

02:55 So yeah, great performance from Newcastle under the circumstances, just really disappointing and frustrating with the result at the end.

03:04 And speaking to Eddie Howe afterwards, he could have frustrated Figa, held his tongue with a bit of class to be honest.

03:11 He made it clear he really didn't agree with the decision, but didn't blame the referees.

03:18 He said the referee had a good game, it was just really quite hard to take the circumstances of the draw tonight.

03:24 But yeah, Newcastle have saved the best performances in the Champions League for PSG really,

03:29 if you go back to that 4-1 win at St James' Park last month.

03:33 Other than that, it hasn't really clicked, but yeah, what a performance tonight.

03:38 Just so unlucky for the Newcastle players that they're not coming home celebrating what would have been a really historic win.

03:45 But you can catch all the reaction, all the reflection over on the Shields Gazette website from myself, Dom Skur,

03:51 as well as the player ratings and Newcastle United player reaction.

03:56 And of course, Eddie Howe as well to come.

03:58 So head over to shieldsgazette.com for more on that. Thanks.