Newcastle United supervisor Eddie Howe hailed considered one of his facet’s finest performances of the season in opposition to Barcelona regardless of Lamine Yamal’s last-gasp penalty denying the Magpies a well-known victory in first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
The Magpies dominated for a lot of the recreation at a raucous St James’ Park, with Yamal largely a peripheral determine, however Howe’s males constantly didn’t take their probabilities.
But it regarded as if Newcastle would prevail when Harvey Barnes gave them a deserved lead within the 86th minute, just for Yamal to interrupt their hearts from the spot with the ultimate kick of the sport after Malick Thiaw had introduced down Dani Olmo, leaving the hosts to accept a 1-1 draw.
Howe, although, was eager to emphasize the positives of the show, making it clear Newcastle can afford to journey to Camp Nou believing they will pull off a exceptional upset within the second leg.
“I believed we have been excellent, a extremely, actually good efficiency,” Howe instructed Prime Video Sport.
“We saved the depth up. The second on the finish takes that in a destructive mild however that was considered one of our greatest performances.”
Requested concerning the penalty, Howe replied: “I feel it’s mushy however Malick makes contact. As soon as the refree provides it it’s not going to be overturned.
“We had our form, there’s no manner we must always concede that purpose. We are going to take a look at it, however I don’t need it to override the 93 minutes earlier than that, wherein we have been high quality.
“I believed we had sufficient to attain earlier than we did. The sport confirmed we’re succesful, however we all know we in all probability have to offer extra going to their stadium. We’re able to doing it, however we are going to have to be at our best.”
Yamal’s penalty was the newest of a number of dramatic finishes to have gone in opposition to Newcastle, with Liverpool and Arsenal claiming late victories at St James’ Park within the Premier League this season.
“It’s my job to attempt to decide them up,” Howe added of the duty of rallying the gamers from the frustration of the late purpose.
:Now we have sadly had to try this a number of occasions this season, however our power of character ought to by no means be doubtful. We might be prepared by the point the subsequent recreation comes spherical.
“We imagine in ourselves and {our capability} and we have now proven that at the moment.”
‘Unusual feeling’ for Newcastle hero Barnes
Goalscorer Barnes, in the meantime, conceded to blended feelings, Barca’s equaliser coming after he was withdrawn from the motion in stoppage time.
“It’s a little bit of a wierd feeling, we’re solely midway by the tie, we performed very well tonight, saved their harmful gamers quiet,” Barnes instructed Prime Video.
“We received forward with a very good purpose, however the best way it ended it’s a powerful one to take, however we have now to recollect it’s only midway by the tie.
“We performed very well within the recreation. We have been on prime for lots of it.
“It is going to be a distinct kind of recreation at their place, however we all know what we will do and we all know once we are at our degree how nicely we will play.
“What a sense it might have been to go there 1-0 up however we’re degree within the tie and all to play for. It’s one recreation, away from house, the place we will present what we will do.
“It is going to be an thrilling recreation for us.”
