Eddie Howe’s reaction to ‘disgraceful’ penalty call vs PSG speaks volumes
PSG clash a ‘defining moment’, says Newcastle’s Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe was in disbelief after Kylian Mbappe’s controversial last-gasp penalty denied Newcastle United a crucial win in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Mbappe rescued a 1-1 draw for Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, leaving Newcastle’s last-16 fate out of their hands.
The Magpies were moments away from sealing a memorable triumph in the French capital through Alexander Isak’s first-half opener against the run of play.
Howe’s side held off a bombardment from Mbappe and co stretching longer than an hour until the sixth minute of eight added on.
However, referee Szymon Marciniak controversially pointed to the spot, following a VAR check, with seconds left after the ball rebounded onto Tino Livramento’s hand off his chest.
And Mbappe made no mistake, firing the penalty past Nick Pope, who deserved a clean sheet for protecting Newcastle’s goals from 31 PSG shots and 72 per cent possession.
UEFA rules – stricter than in the Premier League regarding handballs in the penalty area – came under the spotlight again after the late low blow.
Howe was in a sombre mood after full-time, knowing progression to the knockout stages is now out of Newcastle’s hands.
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“I’m still coming to terms with it, to be honest. I’m very flat still. I’m very proud of the players, of what they achieved tonight, and of what our squad is. It’s very, very thin; they were fantastic,” Howe told TNT Sports.
“Yeah, we might’ve ridden our luck at times, but I think we deserved that, and it ran out at the end because I don’t think it was a penalty.
“What they’re clearly not taking into account is the pace of the ball – that ball is travelling so quickly live, and it’s hit his chest first – that’s the main thing.
“Even if it hit his hands first, I still don’t think it’d be a penalty because of the close proximity, but you could make more of a case. That’s the frustrating thing.
“The pressure put on the referee by the crowd, which people at home might not be aware of – the pressure is incredible, it’s so extreme here, and it’s the last seconds of the game, and he’s given it.”
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Pundits Ally McCoist and Jermaine Jenas were equally disappointed by the decision. McCoist responded to Howe by branding it “disgraceful” and a “robbery,” which the Newcastle boss subtly agreed with.
He said: “Well, I think you’ve summed it up there better than I could because I’m not allowed to. My inner thoughts are obviously…
“I share every thought that you have there. I think he [the referee] was having a really good game up until that point.”
Newcastle must now beat AC Milan at St James’ Park and hope Borussia Dortmund avoid defeat against PSG on the final matchday to progress from Group F.
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