FROM ST JAMES’ PARK – Newcastle United moved to the top of Champions League Group F with a famous 4-1 win over French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
Newcastle went ahead after just 17 minutes with their first Champions League goal at St James’ Park since 2003 as Miguel Almiron slotted home after reacting brilliantly to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save from Alexander Isak.
The second goal arrived just before the break as Dan Burn’s header – after a lengthy check by VAR – was given despite a great attempt by Donnarumma to keep it out.
Sean Longstaff then added the third just after the re-start as he broke into the box and fired his shot under the despairing Donnarumma – who knew the game was gone.
PSG did pull one back with Lucas Hernandez’s header just before the hour mark but that proved no more than a mere consolation as Newcastle added a fourth in injury time, and it was the pick of the bunch as Fabian Schar curled home from 25-yards after exchanging passes with Isak.
The result means Eddie Howe has his first ever win in Europe as a manager, as St James’ Park saluted their heroes who claimed a victory that will live long in the memory of the vast majority of the 52,000 crowd.
How the game unfolded
PSG almost went ahead with the first meaningful attack of the game just five minutes in. They countered on the left through Kylian Mbappe, floating a ball to the back-post for Ousmane Dembele, who fired his volley just wide – but that was as good as it got for the visitors in the first half.
Newcastle began to gradually work their way into the game and half chances came and went for Isak and Almiron. The Paraguayan then won a free-kick 25-yards out from goal – with Kieran Trippier stepping up and looking for goal, but he couldn’t beat the wall.
But it was soon Almiron who broke the deadlock and PSG only had themselves to blame. Marquinhos attempted to clear the ball but Bruno Guimaraes was able to nod the ball down into the path of Alexander Isak, his shot was brilliantly saved by Donnarumma but it fell for Almiron to curl the ball home.
PSG were not without their chances, with Warren Zaire-Emery and Goncalo Ramos firing just wide but they had still not tested Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal with 30 minutes on the clock.
Then came the second goal for Newcastle just before half-time but it played out in bizarre fashion as it was another VAR inspired situation. It all stemmed again from Almiron on the right as he won a free-kick off Hernandez who was also booked. The free-kick on the corner of the box was swung in by Trippier, Donnarumma pulled off a wonderful save from Jamal Lascelles and then again from Burn. But the VAR took a closer look at the Burn chance and after a long delay, the goal was given.
PSG looked totally out of sorts. The visitors looked to try and start the second-half strongly, but it was Newcastle who extended their lead just five minutes after the re-start. Trippier fed Longstaff into the box and his low shot squirmed under Donnarumma and into the net to send the Gallowgate end wild.
PSG, though, did get one back just before the hour mark with their first attempt on goal – a lovely ball over the top of the defence from Zaire-Emery was met by Hernandez to head home and give the visitors a little hope.
However, it was Newcastle who ended on a high by adding a fourth. Schar won the ball in midfield and exhanged passes with Isak before curling the ball home to seal the win, which means the Magpies top their group after the night’s other game finished 0-0 between Borussia Dortmund and Milan.
GK: Nick Pope – 7/10 – Literally did not have a save to make in the opening half and did what he needed to do. Might have done better with the Hernandez goal.
RB: Kieran Trippier – 8/10 – Brilliant set-pieces all evening, caused trouble – got forward well but also defended stoutly when called upon.
CB: Fabian Schar – 8/10 – Didn’t put a foot wrong up against Goncalo Ramos and claimed a brilliant late fourth.
CB: Jamal Lascelles – 8/10 – A captain’s performance from Lascelles – stood up to anything PSG had to throw at him and his team-mates.
LB: Dan Burn – 8/10 – Coped brilliantly with Ousmane Dembele – got forward too and claimed the all important second goal.
CM: Sandro Tonali – 8/10 – Full of running and worked his socks off – one of his best games since arriving at Newcastle.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – 9/10 – Outstanding in the heart of the midfield – dominated the game, was everywhere. Crucial tackles, blocks and passes throughout.
CM: Sean Longstaff – 8/10 – Full of running and got a great goal to help seal the win.
RW: Miguel Almiron – 9/10 – Brilliant display from the Paraguayan, almost impacted every time he made a run down the right – tired in the second half but he was on of the catalysts for the win.
CF: Alexander Isak – 8/10 – Led the line very well – gave Marquinhos and Skriniar a torrid time.
LW: Anthony Gordon – 8/10 – You really can see why Newcastle were so desperate to sign him. Worked so hard for the team.
Substitutes
SUB: Elliot Anderson (64′ for Tonali) – 6/10
SUB: Jacob Murphy (70′ for Almiron) – 6/10
SUB: Matt Targett (90′ for Gordon) – N/A
Subs not used: Dubravka (GK), Dummett, Karius, Hall, Livramento, Miley
Manager
Eddie Howe – 9/10 – His team worked so hard for him and PSG couldn’t cope with the shape they deployed, especially in midfield.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6/10 – Beaten four times but he also made a string of top-class saves.
RB: Achraf Hakimi – 5/10 – Started brightly getting forward but in defence he was found wanting.
CB: Marquinhos – 3/10 – Woeful display, sloppy in possession and gave away opening goal.
CB: Milan Skriniar – 5/10 – Better than Marquinhos but not that much – struggled to cope with Newcastle’s runners.
LB: Lucas Hernandez – 5/10 – Yes he scored but he could not cope with Almiron at all.
CM: Warren Zaire-Emery – 7/10 – Worked his socks off – the teenager put a good shift in which is far more than some of his more illustrious teammates. Created the goal for Hernandez too with excellent cross.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – 5/10 – Worked hard but found it difficult and could not contain Bruno and Tonali.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – 5/10 – One chance in the second-half and that was about it.
CAM: Randal Kolo-Muani – 3/10 – Pretty anonymous – was given a free role but he got the wrong message as he felt free to do nothing.
LW: Kylian Mbappe – 4/10 – Let’s hope for his sake Real Madrid were not watching this – couldn’t get into the game but if you are one of the best player’s on the planet, make more effort!
CF: Goncalo Ramos – 4/10 – A number of Premier League clubs will be breathing a sigh of relief after witnessing this uninspiring performance from the Portuguese forward.
Substitutes
SUB: Bradley Barcola (55′ for Kolo-Muani) – 6/10
SUB: Vitinha (65′ for Ugarte) – 6/10
Subs not used: Navas (GK), Ruiz, Danilo, Mukiele, Soler, Tenas
Manager
Luis Enrique – 3/10 – System didn’t suit the team and he never put it right – it is a mystery how you can set a team up with Dembele, Kolo-Muani, Mbappe and Ramos and not have a sniff of a goal.
Player of the Match – Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & RATINGS HERE
