Newcastle 4-1 PSG: A night I'll never forget
THE most magical night I've ever witnessed at St James' Park and a game that will go down in Newcastle United's history books.
On our first Champions League game back on Tyneside after 20 years away, we didn't just beat PSG, we battered them! Everything about this night was special. Not just the performance, the atmosphere and how we managed the occasion, but the stories behind each goalscorer.
Miguel Almiron continuing his incredible turnaround to give us an early lead, local lads Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff living out their Geordie dreams with massive goals and Fabian Schar - a centre-back who wasn't even being selected by a certain Steve Bruce - scoring our fourth in stunning fashion to cap of an incredible display from the Swiss dreamboat.
Walking to the game, it just felt different. PSG ultras escorted in by police, a buzz of excitement around the city and an atmosphere inside the stadium that ignited from the second the players came out for their warm-ups.
Wor Flags played a blinder, once again, as the Leazes read 'HELLO HELLO, WE ARE THE GEORDIE BOYS.' Black and white flags were waved in all four corners of St James' and the team was met with an almighty roar as they entered the pitch.
The UEFA Champions League music played and the emotion of it all just hit me. I'm not ashamed to admit that I filled up, feeling a wave of pride and disbelief that we were in this position, about to mix it with Europe's elite so soon after years of hurt, misery and neglect under you know who.
The first half was everything we could’ve hoped for and more. There was a lucky escape when Mbappe’s first few touches saw him set up Ousmane Dembele, who arrived unmarked and steered his back post strike wide of Pope's far post just five minutes in. An early warning sign, but it would soon be us who made PSG pay.
After an awful clearance from Manquinhos was intercepted by Bruno and nodded into Isak's path, the Swede saw his snapshot saved superbly by Donnarumma, only for Almiron to react first and slot the follow up beyond the Italian and into the far corner. St James' Park erupted, seeing Miggy become the first man to score a Champions League goal for Newcastle United since Alan Shearer in 2003! 1-0 Newcastle.
PSG couldn't cope with our press and Mbappe had barely had a kick. We weren't letting them settle, were winning the midfield battle, shutting down their attempts to hurt us in wide areas and jumping on every mistake they made.
A moment of brilliance from Trippier saw him turn defence into a attack as he not only cleared but set Almiron away down the right. He was tripped by Lucas Hernandez, who went into the book.
The resultant free-kick led to absolute chaos in the PSG box, as Trippier's delivery was met by Lascelles. Donnarumma clawed away the captains header but the ball was swung back into the six-yard box after some quick-thinking between Tonali and Bruno. The Brazilian dinked a beautiful cross to the back post and Dan Burn powered a header over the line, only for the offside flag to cut short any celebrations. A lengthy VAR check followed, where they were actually assessing a potential handball in the build-up, but the goal was given! Burn raised his arms in the air, St James' took off once again and our 6ft 7' Geordie giant was mobbed by teammates as we doubled our lead. 2-0 Newcastle!
A standing ovation followed as the players went in two ahead at the break. Howe's masterplan was working a treat, as we'd outsmarted, outfought and well and truly outplayed a PSG side who looked lost, rattled and unable to cope with our intensity.
The job was only half done and a huge second 45 awaited, but we came out of the traps flying after the break and were in dreamland as Sean Longstaff made it 3-0 on 50 minutes. It was a lovely ball from Trippier, a great run from Longstaff and a superb hit that powered past Donnarumma. The Italian should've done better, but who cares - a magical moment from one of our own and more proof that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard enough. Our Geordie midfielder never stops running, does so much dirty work that goes unnoticed and deserved his moment at the Gallowgate end, with his driving run summing up the difference between the two sides as PSG players were left for dead by the local lad.
Barely five minutes later, a smart ball over the top and deft header from Lucas Hernandez made it 3-1, handing us a sudden reminder that PSG weren't completely out of this just yet with over 35 minutes left to play. Thankfully, this wasn't a sign of things to come, as Nick Pope would only go on to make one more save, where he did well to parry a powerful strike from the largely anonymous Ousamne Dembele.
Howe made changes, replacing Tonali with Elliot Anderson with 65 minutes on the clock. The former AC Milan maestro gave it his all and showed moments of real class, displaying a lovely blend of pace, intensity and technical ability, supporting Gordon and Burn well down our left-hand side.
Another Mag who deserved huge praise was Jamaal Lascelles, who showed his deceptive recovery speed on more than one occasion to cut out potential PSG counters. He was brave and stepped up to the task superbly, with one second half challenge to stop Bradley Barcola particularly key after he also recovered well to put off Dembele.
Almiron's race was run with 70 on the clock. His goal was key but his all round play seemed just as important, whether it be his constant pressing, his razor sharp interplay, ability to win fouls or get himself in the right defensive positions when PSG tried to break us down. He was replaced by Jacob Murphy, meaning we had FOUR boyhood Toon fans on the pitch at this point, with Anderson also on alongside Burn and Longstaff.
On the other wing, Gordon put in one hell of a shift once again. The pace and determination behind everything he did was a joy to watch and drew so much love from the crowd, who constantly feed off the energy and passion. After six goal involvements in seven league games so far, he didn't come close to scoring on this occasion, but his commitment to the cause, incredible engine and dogged approach was key.
Bruno Guimaraes could've got in on the act if his glancing header wasn't straight at the goalkeeper from another teasing Trippier delivery, but he was my man of the match with or without a goal. He's been back to his best for a few weeks now, running the show against Sheffield United, Man City and Burnley, yet this was an elite level display from the all-action Brazilian. Controlled the game from start to finish, gave PSG midfielders no time to settle and thrived off the atmosphere inside St James', celebrating every tackle like a goal, picking passes with ease and covering every blade of grass.
PSG huffed and puffed for that second goal that could've made things nervy at the death, but it was Eddie's Mags who would add some gloss to an already incredible night, as Fabian Schar stepped forward with a stunning strike in stoppage time! A stunning strike from the centre-back to cap off arguably his best ever display in a black and white shirt, as he thumped a 20-yard screamer beyond Donnarumma to spark more memorable scenes in the Gallowgate. 4-1 Newcastle and with that a win that sends us top of Group F after AC Milan's 0-0 draw in Dortmund.
So many magical moments and memories that will last forever, as two local heroes lived their dream and players who once struggled under Steve Bruce scored on Europe's biggest stage, reminding us once again that this unbelievable turnaround is down to Eddie Howe's management more than money.
Wednesday the 4th October 2023; a night I will never EVER forget. Newcastle United are back!
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Tonali – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Dubravka, Karius, Dummett, Targett, Hall, Livramento, Anderson, L.Miley, Murphy.
