We were 90 seconds away from one of THE most heroic wins in the club’s history, only for a scandalous VAR decision to cost us dearly.
After an incredible effort, Alexander Isak’s first-half strike and superb performances from all 11 players on the pitch, the referee handed Kylian Mbappe a 98th-minute penalty, despite the ball hitting Tino Livramento’s chest before it rebounded off his arm.
The point for PSG means it’s in their hands heading into the final round of group games, with them facing a Borussia Dortmund side who’ve already qualified after they beat Milan 3-1 at the San Siro.
We can still qualify, but need to beat Milan and hope PSG fail to win at Dortmund in two weeks time. We’re still in it and Europa League football will be ours if we beat AC, but it’s an utter disgrace that such a poor decision could cost us so, so dearly.
Howe stuck by the side that beat Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday. He didn’t have many other options, summed up by a bench that included four teenagers, two goalkeepers and Paul Dummett, but it was incredible to see 17-year-old Geordie Lewis Miley makes his first Champions League start in midfield. After his superb display over the weekend, he deserved it.
It was an outstanding first half display, where we thoroughly deserved our 1-0 lead. Ruiz fired over early on and Mbappe’s flicked effort was well blocked by Pope, but we too spurned a clear chance to take the lead as Isak couldn’t keep his first-time effort down after superb work from Almiron; who was relentless both on and off the ball.
Our big moment came from Isak, yet it was Livramento who we had to thank. His driving run saw him beat five in navy blue before Almiron’s effort was parried by Donnarumma and slammed home by our club-record signing.
We had to survive a few more scares, as Pope got down low to stop Dembele’s effort and Schar stood tall to block a goal-bound shot from point-blank range just before the break, but we were superb from back to front. We were winning our duels in midfield, looked slick, positive and progressive in possession, forced PSG into errors as we pressed from the front and defended admirably.
Trippier was razor sharp against Mbappe, Livramento was unstoppable at both ends, mixing incredible pace and drive with quick-tinking. Miley looked composed once again and made a big block to stop Lee Kang’s effort and Lascelles also played a key role with a couple of huge headers.
The worry heading into the second half was whether we could keep this up. Replicating those levels of pressing, discipline and concentration would be tough physically and mentally given the lack of options on our bench, but we gave ourselves a massive platform to build on.
PSG were struggling to break us down after the break, until Pope did superbly to rush out and smother Dembele. We were now sitting deep and relying on the odd counter. We weren’t looking after the ball quite as well, with the odd loose pass allowing PSG to catch us when we weren’t set, but Gordon was causing havoc and drawing fouls; one of which put Skriniar in the book for a blatant trip.
A double change followed from the home side and Miley made another key interception to cut out Lee Kang’s cross. Moments after, PSG’s biggest chance of the match arrived. Barcola looked certain to score after Mbappe’s cut-back, only for Pope to pull off an extraordinary save, making himself big to deny the Frenchman what looked a certain goal.
They were starting to get some joy and you sensed we were beginning to tire, but we remained 1-0 up with 20 minutes to play, with a penalty appeal waved away after Hakimi went down under Gordon’s challenge. A mammoth effort was needed and another five minutes passed, with Pope’s starting position superb to gather a dangerous ball in behind for Mbappe. Once again, a key intervention from our big man between the sticks.
Time had never passed so slowly as we nudged past the 80-minute mark and we had Dembele to thank soon after, as his near-post effort was skewed wide following pressure from Schar. Almiron went down from sheer exhaustion, but he was able to continue as PSG took off centre-back Danilo to bring on former Toon target Goncalo Ramos.
Mbappe was denied not once but twice with three minutes to go, with one whacked straight at Pope and the other flashing inches past the far post. We were out on our feet and barely getting a kick, then eight minutes of added time were signalled before Barcola blasted over at the back post from Hakimi’s cross.
Then, with just two minutes left, VAR asked the referee to take a second look as the ball rebounded off Livramento’s hand. Replays showed it hit his chest first, but that was seemingly ignored, the penalty was given and Mbappe smashed home. Newcastle robbed of a historic win and a result that suddenly takes qualification for the last 16 out of our hands.
Proud of the lads, but utterly dejected by the state of refereeing once again. Let’s hope that doesn’t cost us and Dortmund do us a big favour in a fortnight.
Here’s the permutations heading into the final round of Group F fixtures in two weeks time:
- We’ll come 2nd if we win and PSG don’t win (a PSG draw sees us pip them on the H2H record)
- We’ll come 3rd if we win and PSG win
- We’ll come 3rd if we draw
- We’ll come 4th if we lose
STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Lascelles (C), Schar, Livramento – Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Dubravka, Karius, Dummett, Hall, Huntley, Ndiweni, Parkinson.
I have found VAR so frustrating this season. Gary ONeil had just cause to complain about it last night – The PL officiating has been so poor.
But the CL is the best of the best (allegedly). The ref was having a good game tonight imo – but as soon as he gave the monitor sign normal service was resumed.
I was going to say I can’t begin to describe how devastated I was – but I don’t need to – every Newcastle fan already knows. It was pleasing to hear Ali McCoist finding it a disgrace as well – but it changes nothing.
VAR is destroying football – their answer? To explore the use of sin bins?!?!!!
The clubs have to get together & address the issues in the game before the introduction of further complications!!.
Our boys were outstanding tonight. They left everything out on the pitch. Of course we’d all have snapped at 1-1 before kick off – but we deserved all 3 points imo. I have no clue where they got 8mins from either.
Proud of our team tonight, but VAR can **** Itself!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Couldn’t agree more Sharpy.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ooh controversy .. What can I say but nufc are a drug and I can’t resist
I’m As disappointed as others after a fab toon performance that i thoroughly enjoyed but I’m afraid I’m going to be that lad.
It’s not var and it’s not that the ball coming off his chest first makes any difference.
This is uefa not PL rules.
Var did the job it was supposed to by picking up a clear and obvious error by the ref. It hit his arm and intent or chest first are irrelevant by uefa rules.
5h1t rules yes, but ire is better directed where it belongs, namely the rule makers not rule appliers
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Gowest, I get that but the updated rules clearly state that it will not be deemed a handball if the ball deflects from another body part. They simply haven’t followed their own rules in this instance.
I don’t see PSG beating Dortmund away, and I still fancy us to get a result v Milan at SJP. Even if we fail to go any further I’m still amazed at how well this squad has done.
Lewis Miley looks a real prospect too, hard to believe he’s only 17 the way he plays .
kimtoon(Quote)
The rules of football are the same, it’s the guidance to Refs that is different. But I take your point
PremAndUp(Quote)
GoWest – if that’s the case, why did they overlook the even more obvious ball to hand/arm when it hit Miley??
I’ve said it on here before, it’s used entirely the wrong way. The tail wags the dog. It should be there for the ref to use not to instruct the ref.
How it is being used at the moment is destroying football imo & if it was a case of keep using it like this or get rid …. See ya!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gutted! The game is corrupt as hell. Never 8 minutes, where did that come from? And never a penalty! Even if it had hit his arm first, the proximity was so close. If the Miley incident was deemed not a penalty (which it absolutely was not, correct decision), this was no different. Corruption. Thats all it can be.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I need to reword my last post – they didn’t overlook it – they didn’t give it because regardless of the governing body it’s not a handball when the ball strikes another body part before hitting the hand/arm.
VAR put the ref in an impossible position when they sent him to the monitor.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Is it fair that I’m a little annoyed by Howes reaction to what happened to us last night?!.
His coaching & transformation of our team is unbelievable & puts him up there with any other coach in the Champions League imo – but does he lack an elite mentality?.
Maybe I’m being unfair, but Howes reaction feels like ‘it’s a shame but at least we are still there’.
We were wronged & could you imagine Pep or Klopp reacting in such a way?.
I love Howe. I think he’s brilliant & I don’t want to replace him at all. But if we are seriously going to compete with the best he has to get angry when we are wronged.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy. I disagree. By definition angry means out of control!
Which is not what we want.
But I do agree. I want him to show the impact that errors have on the club.
Given the injury crisis though, it’s just one more thing to cope with.
PremAndUp(Quote)
To clarify what I mean by that – I don’t want him coming out & making comments like Arteta does.
But I’d have loved to hear him say ‘listen everyone said this was the group of death for us, but for a bad decision in extended added time we would be sat 2nd tonight with our fate in our hands – and with a squad hampered with injuries. My players were wronged tonight but we have shown that our players below in the CL stage & can hold their own against the best in the world. We still aren’t out of this competition and we will fight on’. – or words to that effect.
The players hear that and respond to it. He came across like your nice uncle last night. Ali McCoist sounded more annoyed – Howe said that’s how he feels inside but would get in trouble if he said it … SAY IT!! Let your players hear you say it!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I really don’t want to belabour this as I am not a var advocate .. But .. I’m going to as there’s a few juicy comments worth replying to ( wish I could put in a winky emoji here)
It was only after checking the rules and guidance that led me to post my view as I’m trying to understand how they got to their decision not agree with it.
so below is what I’m basing my view point on;
******************
It is an offence if a player:
touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised
******************
So, nothing about proximity / chest to hand / intent.
That leaves making his body bigger and the risk it brings .. I don’t think anyone’s mentioned that here.
It’s kinda tough not to have your arms swinging while running which is why I think it’s a harsh decision .. BUT .. the rules don’t allow for that as mitigation either.
This is fundamentally why I think var wont work because at some point it comes down to interpretation ( maybe why the earlier decision wasn’t called on miley ) and at that point we’re back to how the ref sees it .. aaaargh
@prem thanks for correction on rules /guidance
Anyways, nufc are still in it and need to beat Milan to qualify, so the intent to win remains
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Sharpy, on howe you’ve put it nicely in that he could be a bit more forceful about impact while not ranting ala others
On his interview with mccoist and jenas I thought they were actually trying to bait Howe on the penalty to get an emotional response and he handled it ok given he’d probably just walked out the training room
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – this is what Sky have put up in their article about the fact that the VAR official has been dropped – which speaks volumes for me:
UEFA’s guidelines say “no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body, and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal.”
I’ve not seen a single person who has made a single defensive for the decision other than you. You are obviously entitled you your opinion & im not speaking in a sarcastic tone – I have more respect for you than to do that.
The other factor is obviously that VAR can only recommend the ref take a look at the monitor – they shouldn’t have, but they did.
The ref went and looked & he saw clearly the ball hit his midriff before hitting his arm – the ref could have stuck to his decision but he gave the penalty. Did he come to that decision alone or was there someone in his ear??.
These are the best officials Europe has.
It can mean 1 of 2 things – either there is corruption at play or that the rules are so unclear that even the best officials on offer are getting it wrong.
I would love to hear the audio to it to hear what was discussed & how the decision was reached, because it truly baffles me.
I’ve heard pundits suggesting it would benefit having ex players in VAR – well so far I’ve seen comments from ex players & referees both saying never in a millions years on this decision & not one offer any explanation as to why the decision was right.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Issues with the site.
I’m still getting lags & the articles refreshing themselves halfway through posts – I’m sure it’s down to all of these pop up adverts kicking in.
I’m still getting a load of question markers when using an emoji.
I’m still having to input my details every time I’m making a post.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy ..lol nice to be unique
I’m not defending it but rather trying to offer a different view on how they could’ve got the decision coz to be honest i was puzzled too
Anyways I’m leaving it there coz it ain’t changing and it’s time to look forward to nufc humping manutd and I just want to add thanks for your respect which is mutual
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – I know you said you’re moving on from it but I just found this on YouTube. Really like this lad & thought you’d appreciate it:
https://youtu.be/50SKC6ZMc0Y?si=u2Fm2XcZYN6gugwT
I’m in favour of analysing things to see where the mistakes actual lie so that it can be addressed & hopefully never happen again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Miley incident wasn’t given, so they know the rule. It was getting near the end of the game and psg still had not scored. Gave and extra 8 mins. Most they could get away with, but still we kept them at bay, then another opportunity for a penalty. Ref ignores it rightly but is told to go to the screen. He cannot have been shown all angles so was not fully informed. He had got everything right up to this point. So var shows him what is needed to make him give psg the pen.
UEFA have subsequently “punished” the VAR guy.
The president of UEFA is also the owner of PSG and is owner or director of Bein sports in Qatar. Accusations of corruption have been thrown at him before.
Make up your own minds.
Gilly, (Fu*** ed off with the site) Toon(Quote)
Sharpy, thanks for the tip. Yup I watch him a lot after previous tips from, I think, you and prem .. I’m now asking myself why I didn’t think to check his channel earlier
I guess he is much more articulate at pointing out what I’ve been failing to get across .. which is why he has k’s of views and I’m chatting in the comments on a blog .. LOL
The thing that really jumped out at me was one of his last points that the outrage over the decision is actually detracting from (disrespecting) a very impressive nufc performance and I’m really disappointed in myself that I have done just that
So as much as a slap to myself as anything I F’KIN LOVE THIS NUFC TEAM AND FEEL HONOURED TO BE A WITNESS TO THEIR AMAZING PROGRESS WIN LOSE OR DRAW
HTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
The uefa decision has an interesting tangent; namely behaviours.
Lots of folks have criticised the psg and arsenal decisions including the club coaches
I’d like to Highlight the outcomes after the game as criticism doesn’t change a result
I’m going to start by stating I think Howe and arteta are both very good coaches albeit with very different behaviours
So Howe and Arteta both emerge directly after a game and both visibly emotional to express their views that their teams have been wronged
Result; immediate action (and thus acknowledgement of the error) and change to the wrong suffered by nufc and .. err .. well .. nothing but clarification on why the decision was reached for Arsenal
I believe in small margins to get to success and in the arena of football and nufc have a master in Howe
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Interesting chat with my mate last night.
Would you rather stay in the CL where the competition is far tougher & we may not go as far – or would you rather drop into the Europa where we might actually have a chance of winning it?
Sharpy17(Quote)
We have some winnable PL games through Dec. If we could pick up 10-14 points this month – which is very doable imo, then that keeps us right in the mix.
We might also progress in the CC and beat AC Milan and we will have either CL or Europa to look forward to.
By the New Year we will hopefully have Botman, Longstaff, Willock, Barnes & Anderson back – hopefully Wilson won’t be far off either. But maybe crucially, the transfer window opens & we can try and strengthen our squad further.
If we get to the 1st Jan with 10-14 points, can beat Chelsea in the CC and still be in European football in some capacity – with all of the injuries we’ve had this season – that to me would be a phenomenal achievement.
League wise I think 10-14 points keeps us around where we are now – so I understand people may question my ‘phenomenal’ rating, but with the way our squad has been hit – for us to still have a chance to push for a top 4 or 5 spot in the second half of the season is nothing short of phenomenal.
With the players we get back from injuries & could add in January – I think a trophy or/and a top 5 spot is still very realistic.
Sharpy17(Quote)