Eddie Howe insisted Newcastle cannot look back at the controversy against PSG after they were eliminated from the Champions League following a crushing 2-1 loss to AC Milan at St. James Park.
Newcastle had a feint chance at avenging the horrendous handball decision given against them in Paris three weeks ago but found themselves in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages as they were comfortably leading AC Milan in the second half following a stunning strike from Joelinton.
A Dortmund goal near the hour mark sparked further scenes at St. James Park but qualification hopes quickly started to crumble for Newcastle as Christian Pulisic silenced the crowd just minutes later to make it 1-1 out of nothing.
Howe threw everything at the Italians knowing a win would still be enough to finish second, but they were caught cold in the 84th minute as Samuel Chukwueze rounded off a fine Milan counter to break Newcastle’s hearts and steal the points for the Rossoneri.
It meant that Newcastle dropped to fourth in Group F and Milan pipped them to a place in the Europa League- making the injustice of the 1-1 draw with PSG all the more costly. The French champions failed to find a winner against Dortmund but a draw was enough for them to squeeze through on goal difference.
Howe was left “devastated” and emphasised the importance of not looking back at what might have been.
“We gave everything to the match. I couldn’t ask any more of the players in terms of effort, commitment, physical exertion. Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t to be.
“I thought there were some really good bits in our performance. We were dominant at times. We didn’t defend the two goals well enough.
“It was very much end to end. Both teams were desperate to win. It made for a very good game.
“But it’s not through a lack of effort. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve given physically and mentally, and we’ve given everything out on the pitch. We will learn from it, and we will absorb everything we need to take into our Premier League form.
“It would be foolish of me to look back at that [PSG penalty] moment now and bring up old stuff. We had the opportunity tonight to do what we needed to do.
“We’ve learned so much, the value of the squad first and foremost. That has been what exposed us – the fact we haven’t had the ability to utilise the squad we created, and it has been a big frustration for us.”
