Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe hailed his staff’s “gutsy show” after the Magpies fell to a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona within the Champions League at St James’ Park on Thursday.
Marcus Rashford, on mortgage at Barca from Manchester United, scored a wonderful second-half brace earlier than Anthony Gordon pulled one again late on in what was an enthralling encounter on Tyneside.
Gordon’s strike, ultimately, proved to be little greater than comfort, however for giant spells the hosts outplayed their Catalan opponents, who had been lacking teenage star Lamine Yamal via harm.
And the Magpies boss was fast to acknowledge his gamers’ efforts, however added that these events are solely made really particular with a victory.
“I believe we had been actually within the sport, I didn’t really feel we had been ever out of it,” Howe advised TNT Sports activities.
“I’m upset we didn’t rating the primary purpose of the sport, I believe that was essential tonight, on reflection and we had the probabilities to try this within the first half.
“I believed it was a very wholehearted and gutsy show from us, maybe missing that little bit of high quality to make us win.
“When the mud settles, we’ll look again otherwise with the efficiency. I believe it was an excellent efficiency, it was a robust effort, however these nights are solely magical if you happen to win.
“However I believe we’ll study and develop our sport on nights like this.”
Subsequent up for Newcastle is a visit to Bournemouth within the Premier League on Sunday earlier than they host Bradford Metropolis within the EFL Cup Third Spherical on Wednesday.
