Newcastle’s long-awaited return of Champions League nights to St. James Park proved to be the perfect script as PSG were battered 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Here’s the five things we learned from the game…
Trippier leading from the front
Since arriving on Tyneside in January 2022, Kieran Trippier has been nothing short of exceptional for Eddie Howe’s side. Matched up against Ballon d’Or nominee Kylian Mbappé for the majority of the affair versus the Parisians, Trippier led by example, remaining calm and composed, nullifying any potential threat down the left flank. Trippier is no stranger to the Champions League, and his experience in the competition was clear in the match versus PSG. If Newcastle are to continue their unbeaten run in this year’s UCL, they will have to lean on and learn from the experience and composure of the England right-back in moments where the pressure is high.
Bruno back to his best
After beginning the season not performing to the standard the Geordie faithful had grown accustomed to, Bruno Guimarães is certainly back to his best. The Brazilian ran the midfield versus the Parisians, effortlessly providing the link between Newcastle’s defensive and offensive lines. Guimarães shouldered the pressure of taking Newcastle to new heights numerous times last season, and with performances like his versus PSG in the Champions League, the Brazilian international is sure to continue winning the hearts of the Geordie faithful.
Sean Longstaff- Mr. Reliable
With Brazilian midfielder Joelinton having trouble staying fit, North Shields born Sean Longstaff has become a mainstay in Eddie Howe’s team over the last five games. Longstaff has played extremely well over this period, continuing his good run of form versus PSG, scoring Newcastle’s third goal from a well taken chance in the 50th minute. While Longstaff does not offer the same skill and ability on the ball as Joelinton, he offers something different to Newcastle’s midfield; his work rate is incredible, proving to be the engine in the Newcastle midfield from minute one to the final whistle. If Longstaff continues to play as well as he has done in recent games, Eddie Howe is sure to have a selection headache when Joelinton eventually reaches full fitness.
Local Hero
Dan Burn has been exceptional for Newcastle once again in the opening 10 games of the season. With the arrival of left-back Lewis Hall on loan from Chelsea during the summer, Burn’s spot in the starting eleven seemed to be under scrutiny. Burn has not shied away from the challenge, and with his performances so far this season, starting left-back is certainly his spot to lose. The Englishman performed exceptionally against the visiting Parisians, and in the face of an unfavourable matchup versus the lighting quick Ousmane Dembélé barely put a foot wrong. Burn scored Newcastle’s second goal of the night in the 39th minute, much to the delight of the Geordie faithful seeing one of their own score in Europe’s premier club competition. From Blyth to St. James’ Park, a local hero indeed.
Newcastle up to the challenge
When Newcastle were drawn into Group F of this year’s UCL, many fans were sceptical of the club’s involvement in the competition come the knockout stages. In a group comprised of the French champions, the Bundesliga runners-up and last season’s UCL semi-finalists, Newcastle’s return to European football looked as though it would be Eddie Howe’s toughest challenge yet as manager. But Howe and the team have risen to the occasion and go into the international break top of UCL Group F. Newcastle dominated proceedings on the day, and epitomised by Fabian Schär’s wonderstrike in the 91st minute, brought back Champions League football to St. James’ Park in style.
