Newcastle United’s Champions League aspirations took a bruising hit in Marseille on November 25, 2025, with a 2-1 defeat that squandered a first-half lead and exposed defensive frailties. Harvey Barnes’ early strike gave hope, but a second-half collapse—sparked by Nick Pope’s catastrophic error—allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to net twice in quick succession, leaving Eddie Howe to rally his side for a must-win run. With nine points from five games, Newcastle’s top-eight hopes now hinge on victories against Bayer Leverkusen and PSV Eindhoven. This article recaps the match’s highs and lows, Howe’s balanced reflections, the growing scrutiny on Pope, and the path to redemption.
A Promising Start Soured by Second-Half Slump
Newcastle United’s trip to the Stade Vélodrome began brightly. Perhaps Howe had used an ai presentation maker to get his team talk over to the lads, as Harvey Barnes gave them a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute through a clinical finish after a swift counter. The first half showcased the Magpies’ best attributes: intense pressing that disrupted Marseille’s rhythm and quick transitions that created chances for Nick Woltemade. Despite the hosts’ possession dominance, Newcastle’s defence held firm, with Fabian Schär and Malick Thiaw repelling attacks and Pope making routine stops. The crowd, expecting a record fourth straight Champions League win, sensed a breakthrough.
The second half, however, unravelled in minutes. Just 30 seconds after the restart, Pope’s inexplicable decision to vacate his box left Aubameyang with an open goal, equalizing at 1-1. Five minutes later, the Gabonese striker struck again, curling past Pope at his near post after a swift break. Newcastle’s response was tepid, with Woltemade and Anthony Gordon spurning chances, and the press losing its bite. Marseille capitalised on the momentum shift, holding firm to secure the three points. The result, Newcastle’s second straight league phase loss after Barcelona, drops them to ninth in the table, making upcoming fixtures against Leverkusen and PSV must-wins for knockout hopes.
Howe, in his post-match analysis, captured the frustration: “Such disappointment for us because it could have been so different. It started so well, we took a really positive step forward in the way we approached the game today. We were a transition threat, we pressed really well in the first half, and it could have been so different.” He pinpointed the concession: “The two goals, the manner of the goal was disappointing. Chucking away a lead again, very disappointing. Losing away from home, very disappointing.”
Howe’s Call for Balance: Positives Amid the Pain
Despite the setback, Howe urged perspective, highlighting encouraging elements. “There are areas we can improve. These are the games we want to play in and test ourselves in,” he said, noting the team’s athleticism and threat: “We’ve been a threat. We’ve been athletically really good. It was a much improved performance and didn’t break the game. For me, the performance today was strong. I thought we did carry a goal threat, which at times, away from home this year, we haven’t. I think we had 20 shots in the end. I was pleased with a lot of the performance.”
Howe defended the second-half dip: “The second half I think we did not react to the goal. We did not react to the goal, we were on the back foot and the crowd came into it. Then we were not at our best. I will learn more from watching it back. We need the intent to go for more goals in games. The intent was there. Maybe our press was not as intense as it has been. 1-0 is a delicate scoreline, and we did not defend well enough.” He remained defiant: “The result leaves us a little bit bruised. But we’ll come back. We have some great games ahead. This competition was never going to be straightforward; it’s an elite competition that will make us better for all these experiences. Today is a tough one to take, but the lads are robust, experienced and we are ready to fight back.”
The nine points from five games keep Newcastle in contention, but the top-eight race tightens, with Leverkusen and PSV looming as “must-wins.”
Pope Under the Microscope: A Moment of Madness
Nick Pope’s nightmarish error 30 seconds into the second half stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons, gifting Aubameyang an equalizer and tilting the match. The England international’s decision to abandon his box, only to be rounded and slotted into an empty net, echoed defensive lapses in recent away games. Five minutes later, Aubameyang curled past Pope at his near post, a second blow that exposed the keeper’s positioning.
Howe, asked by The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, called for balance: “I think it’s a concern when we concede goals, regardless of who’s at fault. I think we have to look at everything with a balanced head. He saved us many times. He made some really good saves against Manchester City just two days ago. That’s the life of a goalkeeper. But I’ll certainly back him.” The comments appear a vote of confidence, but Pope’s third consecutive away error—costing leads against West Ham, Brentford, and Marseille—fuels calls for Aaron Ramsdale’s loan-to-buy from Southampton to become permanent.
Ramsdale, 27, has impressed in cup ties, with Howe praising his “first-class attitude” and distribution. Pope, 33, has 71 clean sheets in 191 appearances, but injuries and distribution critiques have mounted. Social media demands a change, with one fan tweeting, “Pope’s errors are costing us—time for Ramsdale.” Howe’s backing suggests continuity against Everton on November 2, but Ramsdale’s starts could increase if Pope falters.
The Bigger Picture: A Hectic Run Looms
Newcastle’s Marseille loss, despite a strong first half, highlights vulnerabilities in away form, with three consecutive defeats after taking 1-0 leads. The 20 shots and goal threat Howe praised show progress, but the second-half collapse—failing to react to Aubameyang’s opener—echoes patterns against Arsenal and Brentford. “1-0 is a delicate scoreline and we did not defend well enough,” Howe admitted, pointing to a press that lost intensity and a crowd-fueled Marseille surge.
The result drops Newcastle to ninth with nine points from five, making Leverkusen (home, November 5) and PSV (away, November 12) must-wins for top-eight hopes. The international break follows, but Everton on November 2 offers a chance to regroup. Howe’s optimism—“The lads are robust, experienced and we are ready to fight back”—must translate, with the squad’s athleticism a foundation to build on.
Path to Redemption: Key Battles Ahead
Newcastle’s Champions League slate turns pivotal, with Leverkusen’s 12 points and PSV’s 9 making every point vital. Marseille’s Aubameyang, with five goals in four games, exposed Pope’s lapses, but Howe’s “balanced head” approach signals faith. Ramsdale’s readiness, after a “really good night” against Spurs, offers an alternative if needed. The Magpies’ 20 shots against Marseille show offensive promise, but converting threats—Woltemade and Gordon’s misses—remains key.
Social media reflects frustration but hope, with fans tweeting, “We dominated but crumbled—Howe needs to fix the mentality.” The week’s “tough one to take” becomes a motivator, as Howe said: “These are the games we want to play in and test ourselves in.” With a squad blending youth and experience, Newcastle can rebound, turning Marseille’s lessons into Leverkusen fuel.
Howe did we get the tactics and team spirit and cohesion wrong ?
Mike(Quote)