Five things we learned from Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with European champions PSG in the Champions League
Referee Slavko Vincic (R) talks to Marcos Correa of Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United’s Sven Botman(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United had to settle for a place in the Champions League play-off round after a battling 1-1 draw with PSG at the Parc des Princes meant they finished the league phase in 12th place.
Nick Pope saved a penalty from Ousmane Dembele inside the first five minutes before Vitinha put PSG ahead in the seventh minute.
Newcastle had to endure some heavy pressure inside the first 25 minutes but grew into the game and got their rewards when Joe Willock headed them level on the stroke of half-time.
Willock had a second goal disallowed before Harvey Barnes missed two gilt-edged chances to seal the win that would have sealed a top eight place and a route directly through to the last 16.
Instead, Newcastle will have to negotiate a two-legged play-off tie next month to reach that stage but Eddie Howe will take heart from what was an impressive away performance.
Here are five things we learned from the draw in the French capital.
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Officials rear ugly head again
Just like two years ago, Newcastle found themselves on the end of a controversial penalty call. Tino Livramento was adjudged to have committed a handball in stoppage time that night when the ball bounced off his chest and on to his arm in the area.
Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot that night to rescue a 1-1 draw but tonight Pope saved the spot-kick from Dembele to ensure justice was served after Lewis Miley was adjudged to have deliberately handled the ball while having his eyes focused solely on challenging Bradley Barcola.
But that wasn’t where the bizarre officiating ended. Anthony Elanga was inexplicably shown a yellow card after being fouled by Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Newcastle being awarded a free-kick. Go figure.
Marquinhos then handled the ball inside his penalty area in a very similar manner to Miley but there was no consistency as the VAR officials cleared any wrongdoing.
‘Check complete’ became the phrase of the night as penalty appeals for potential fouls on Dan Burn and Anthony Gordon in the penalty area were waved away.
In the backdrop of some bizarre officiating from referee Slovenian official Slavko Vincic, Newcastle managed to battle their way to a positive result in Paris.
Newcastle United’s Nick Pope celebrates saving Ousmane Dembele’s penalty(Image: Dave Winter/Shutterstock)
Willock thrives in new role
Eyebrows were raised when Howe named a team set up in a 5-4-1/3-4-3 formation on Wednesday evening and then even more eyebrows were raised when Willock started the game on the left-wing with Gordon and Barnes sat on the bench.
But, despite limited game-time this season, he justified his selection. Not just through his goal, and a further disallowed goal, but with his work rate at both ends of the pitch and the fact he had the beating of Achraf Hakimi, who is regarded by many as the best right-back in world football.
Newcastle knew his ability in a midfield role but the former Arsenal midfielder showed how effective he can be in a left-wing role, particularly in this system, and Howe now has the green light to try it again in the future.
Joe Willock of Newcastle United celebrates scoring against PSG(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Cole and Gerrard’s pre-match prediction
The TNT Sports pundits did not hold out much hope for Newcastle pre-game.
Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole feared Newcastle would ‘get a slap’ by the European champions. Former Liverpool captain and ex-Rangers manager Steven Gerrard warned they had to be ‘perfect’ to get anything from the game.
But Newcastle’s approach flied in their face of the doom-mongers and had Barnes taken one of his two big chances in the final minutes of the game, United would have left egg on their faces.
Newcastle dodge goalkeeper bullet
Newcastle scouted Lucas Chevalier before he moved to PSG in the summer from Lille. PSG manager Luis Enrique took some serious heat when he decided to sign Chevalier and sell Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City after the Italian had just been named the world’s best goalkeeper.
That decision has backfired with Chevalier coming under so much fire for his performances this season Enrique decided to start with second choice goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
The Russian international looked shaky throughout the game, particularly under crosses and PSG’s goalkeeper situation now looks like an absolute mess.
PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier (Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Champions League picture
Newcastle now know they can only face either French side Monaco or Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag in the play-off round after finishing the league phase in 12th place.
If they win through that tie then a last 16 tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea lies in wait for the Magpies.
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Newcastle United complete their Champions League group stage games on January 28. as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital. Fans can watch the game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.