Joelinton’s rasping drive had Newcastle sitting second in their Champions League group at one stage during an eventful evening, before their hearts were broken twice in a manic second-half after goals from Christian Pulisic and substitute winger Samuel Chukwueze sent them out of European competition altogether on Tyneside tonight while Milan are Europa League-bound in 2024.
Joelinton’s jolt a fitting tonic on MD6
Eddie Howe’s naive-but-nerveless Newcastle made many critics and fans start to believe the unthinkable was possible from an unenviable Group of Death this term, but have become the second English side to crash out before the knockout stages after Manchester United were humbled at home by Bayern 24 hours earlier.
While Manchester City and Arsenal had already wrapped up their respective group campaigns with games to spare and could flex squad rotation away from home in midweek, Newcastle fielded the strongest team possible for a must-win clash – though several first-team players were sidelined through injury or suspension.
£60m man Alexander Isak represented Howe’s wildcard from the bench after producing a trio of consecutive anonymous displays in attack, while 17-year-old academy graduate Lewis Miley again didn’t look out of place in central midfield.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan scrambled to stop Joelinton’s thunderous opener, but it would’ve been a more ominous deficit had Fikayo Tomori not bailed out his number one with a goalline clearance as Miguel Almiron bore down on goal.
Intricate build-up play between Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic saw them combine seamlessly, as they’ve done previously together at Chelsea, with the latter converting a close-range equaliser on 59 minutes and the touch paper was lit.
After another disappointing individual display, Rafael Leao missed a great opportunity to give Milan the lead on a counter-attack, hitting the near post with the goal gaping and reserve goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in no man’s land.
Midfield summer signing Tijani Reijnders and substitute Luka Jovic both also had efforts before Chukwueze’s curling winner, a minute after replacing Yunus Musah.
Noah Okafor marauded forward in transition after Newcastle were caught charging men upfield to score themselves, exchanging passes with Jovic before teeing up the Nigerian – who still had a lot to do from a difficult angle, and finished adroitly.
Given how they scooped up four from a possible six points against Ligue 1 champions PSG, Newcastle will feel aggrieved they have nothing to show for their valiant efforts on their return to continental competition after a 11-year hiatus.
Milan were inspired semifinalists last season and found themselves a goal-saving block away from the ignominy of no European football altogether after Christmas.
Although the romantic neutral would’ve loved to see how far Newcastle might’ve progressed – last-16 and beyond – it’s fair to say given their recent Premier League form and defensive frailties being exposed against elite opposition, this outcome felt inevitable as soon as they were read out as part of the competition’s toughest group.
Picture source: Getty Images
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