‘Very special’ atmosphere as Newcastle thrash PSG 4-1 in Champions League homecoming
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Newcastle United's Fabian Schar celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has “belief” that his team can go far in the Champions League, after they stunned Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar scored the goals as the Magpies made their first home game in Europe’s elite club competition for 20 years a night to remember.
“To score four times against PSG in front of our supporters made it a really special night. The atmosphere was very special, I can’t thank the fans enough,” said Howe.
“I’m so pleased with the players for what they gave tonight. It’s only a small step but we hope this gives us the belief we need to be successful in the competition.”
Howe’s men move to the top of what is considered the toughest Champions League group in this season’s draw.
Newcastle have four points from their opening two Group F games, one more than PSG, with AC Milan on two points after a 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund (one) in Germany.
The first-ever clash between Newcastle and PSG pitted the sporting interests of Saudi Arabia and Qatar head-to-head.
A Saudi takeover two years ago has transformed the Magpies’ fortunes in similar fashion to how the influx of cash from Qatar has made PSG the dominant force of French football over the past decade.
PSG boss Luis Enrique warned before the game that Newcastle were the side no one wanted from the fourth pot of seeds and the English Premier League side showed why.
Despite being acutely aware of Newcastle’s threat, the coach boldly stuck with a star-studded front four featuring Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.
Placing less emphasis on defence backfired in the end, and none of the attackers scored as it was a defender, Lucas Hernandez, who netted PSG’s solitary goal.
“These games are tough for coaches,” said the former Barcelona and Spain boss, who defended his team selection.
“I think the scoreline is unfair, even if I have to congratulate Newcastle, who played very well. But I think 4-1 is harsh.”
Not since PSG’s collapse to lose a 4-0 first-leg lead in a 6-1 defeat at Barcelona in 2017 have the French champions suffered such a humbling on the Champions League stage.
That embarrassment triggered the club’s Qatari owners to break the world’s transfer record to land Neymar before splashing the cash for Mbappe in a matter of weeks.
Yet, their project to conquer Europe has not borne fruit and there were lessons to be learnt on and off the pitch at St James’ Park.
Despite splurging nearly £400 million (S$666 million) on new players, Newcastle are not even among the top spenders in the Premier League since the Saudi-backed takeover.
Three of their scorers on Wednesday – Almiron, Longstaff and Schar – were already at the club when they were fighting relegation from the English top flight just two years ago.
The other, Burn, has fought his way to the top after starting his career in the sixth tier of English football.
Dan Burn (right) scores against PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Both Burn and Longstaff are lifelong fans of their hometown club and grew up watching Newcastle from the stands of St James’ Park.
PSG, on the other hand, have long been criticised for failing to make the most of the hotbed of talent on their doorstep.
Most famously, they lost their only Champions League final in 2020 against Bayern Munich to a goal scored by Paris-born Kingsley Coman, who left PSG as a teenager.
And not for the first time in the Champions League, PSG’s individuals were outfought by a greater collective unit.
Sean Longstaff (centre) scores Newcastle’s third goal.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Roared on by an incredible atmosphere, Newcastle made sure their Champions League homecoming was a night that will not be forgotten, as the fans partied into the small hours.
“They will be (proud) and I think they will probably be a bit drunk as well,” said Longstaff on his family’s reaction.
“They probably weren’t planning to drink on a Wednesday night but that might have changed.”
The hope on Tyneside is that this is just the start of a journey towards one day winning the Champions League.
Howe, for one, has belief.
AFP, REUTERS
Paris St Germain’s star Kylian Mbappe is in shock after the match.
PHOTO: REUTERS
