ON A dirty previous Tyneside evening, Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions had been doused by the chilly bathe of actuality.
Whereas the filthy-rich Geordies might have all the cash in Saudi Arabia to chuck at Europe’s elite membership competitors, right here was proof of their standing as novices on the prime desk.
Felix Nmecha celebrated his first objective within the Champions LeagueCredit score: Getty
It was a irritating evening within the pouring rain for NewcastleCredit score: Getty
Eddie Howe’s aspect had been undone by one who received away from them within the switch market – midfielder Felix Nmecha, closely linked with a transfer to St James Park in the summertime, however who opted to go away Wolfsburg for Borussia Dortmund as an alternative.
Nmecha’s strike, simply earlier than half-time, capped a thrusting transfer began by Nico Schlotterbeck, and left this group intriguingly poised with these two sides degree on factors forward of a return match on the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday week.
Boss Howe was given the royal seal of approval from ‘King’ Kevin Keegan when the duo met on the theatre on Monday evening – now he has to realize what Keegan didn’t do and win a trophy at this membership.
Keegan, nonetheless a hopeless dreamer in his dotage, had raised the prospect of Newcastle profitable the Champions League this season.
However it not often works like that and Howe, a extra grounded particular person than his well-known forebear, realises as a lot.
Manchester Metropolis needed to wait a technology to get their palms on the well-known big-eared trophy and Paris Saint-Germain – sploshed 4-1 right here three weeks in the past – are nonetheless ready regardless of all of their Center Japanese oil wonga.
That oil-firm derby had been performed in a carnival ambiance when St James’ Park welcomed again Champions League soccer after a 20-year absence.
Right here the locals had been once more in high-quality voice however their aspect lacked the nous to unlock the seasoned European veterans of Dortmund.
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Nick Pope had made a shocking double-save early on however sub Callum Wilson twice went near a second-half equaliser after Alexander Isak had been compelled off by damage.
Howe named the identical beginning eleven who had trounced PSG for the go to of Dortmund, who arrived unbeaten within the Bundesliga however backside of this group.
Group F consists of a PSG aspect shorn of Lionel Messi and Neymar, a Dortmund group with a Jude Bellingham-sized gap in it, and an AC Milan aspect which is much from classic.
However it’s nonetheless residing as much as its ‘Group of Dying’ billing and the Geordies will now want a consequence or two in Dortmund and Paris earlier than they return right here to face AC Milan in December.
Sandro Tonali – going through a prolonged ban for breaking betting guidelines however lauded right here by the membership’s dizzy supporters after Saturday’s hammering of Crystal Palace – was left on the bench for the opening hour.
Inside the primary two minutes, each keepers had been examined – Pope saving along with his ft to disclaim Donyell Malen and Gregor Kobel pushing away a curling shot from Anthony Gordon.
And shortly, Pope was pulling off a unprecedented double save, hurling himself a method, then the opposite to thwart Malen and Niclas Fullkrug.
Nick Pope made an excellent double save within the opening minutesCredit score: Reuters
Alexander Isak needed to go off injured within the first halfCredit score: Getty
Ex-Manchester Metropolis teenager Nmecha completed expertly into the far aspectCredit score: AP
It’s outstanding that Pope is at the moment being frozen out of the England squad by Gareth Southgate.
Nonetheless, from the ensuing nook, Newcastle broke swiftly, Isak feeding Gordon, whose shot was blocked by Kobel at his close to submit.
It got here at a value although, Isak was injured by a sort out from behind as he made the go.
Dortmund had been a much more organised and threatening group than PSG had been, they ceaselessly had the Toon back-pedalling and compelled a string of corners.
However Bruno Guimaraes, who seems to be born to this Champions League method, pinged a lofted go to Miguel Almiron, who tripped over his personal ft as he tried a shot.
Almiron had gone down moments earlier, and the Geordies appealed lengthy and onerous for a penalty towards Schlotterbeck however Portuguese ref Artur Dias was having none of it.
Gordon was changing into an actual menace and the locals – pleased as otters within the torrential rain – had been celebrating with delirium each time their group gained a nook.
Emre Can limped out of the sport earlier than the breakCredit score: Reuters
Sean Longstaff and his Newcastle team-mates struggled to discover a breakthroughCredit score: AP
Callum Wilson ought to have equalised however hit the goalkeeperCredit score: Getty
Dortmund’s former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can had simply hobbled off not lengthy earlier than the Germans seized the lead on 45 minutes.
Schlotterbeck gained a crunching sort out in his personal half and the Germany centre-back hurtled ahead to play a perfectly-weighted go to Nmecha, who fizzed dwelling his shot.
Right here was affirmation of what we’d suspected just a few weeks in the past – that PSG had been as unhealthy as Newcastle had been good – and that Howe’s group would face sterner assessments.
After the break, there was a full-throated response from the Toon Military, which appeared to encourage their boys.
Fabian Schar gained a convincing sort out which was a go for Wilson, who exchanged passes with Gordon, however had his shot saved by Kobel, protruding a foot from point-blank territory.
Jacob Murphy was compelled off by damage virtually as quickly as he’d arrived as a sub.
However as Newcastle staged a late rally, Matt Targett whipped in a free-kick from the left and Wilson related along with his shoulder and noticed his effort crash towards the crossbar.
And within the dying moments Gordon’s shot cannoned off the turf and on to the bar, because the hosts completed with a flourish which finally got here to nothing.
Anthony Gordon’s last-minute effort deflected again off the underside of the barCredit score: Getty
Miguel Almiron tries to create one thing because the Toon seemed for an equaliserCredit score: Getty
Gordon tried to encourage the house crowdCredit score: Getty
Donyell Malen was a relentless menace going forwardsCredit score: PA
Jacob Murphy lasted just some minutes earlier than a nasty-looking damageCredit score: Reuters
Nick Pope joined the assault in injury-timeCredit score: Reuters
Sandro Tonali might have performed his final match for ten monthsCredit score: Getty