Newcastle United supervisor Eddie Howe hailed one in every of his facet’s greatest performances of the season towards Barcelona regardless of Lamine Yamal’s last-gasp penalty denying the Magpies a well-known victory in first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
The Magpies dominated for many of the recreation at a raucous St James’ Park, with Yamal largely a peripheral determine, however Howe’s males constantly didn’t take their probabilities.
But it seemed as if Newcastle would prevail when Harvey Barnes gave them a deserved lead within the 86th minute, just for Yamal to interrupt their hearts from the spot with the ultimate kick of the sport after Malick Thiaw had introduced down Dani Olmo, leaving the hosts to accept a 1-1 draw.
Howe, although, was eager to emphasize the positives of the show, making it clear Newcastle can afford to journey to Camp Nou believing they’ll pull off a outstanding upset within the second leg.
“I assumed we have been excellent, a extremely, actually good efficiency,” Howe instructed Prime Video Sport.
“We saved the depth up. The second on the finish takes that in a adverse mild however that was one in every of our greatest performances.”
Requested concerning the penalty, Howe replied: “I believe it’s smooth however Malick makes contact. As soon as the refree offers it you already know it’s not going to be overturned.
“We had our form, there’s no means we should always concede that objective. We are going to take a look at it, however I don’t need it to override the 93 minutes earlier than that, during which we have been high quality.
“I assumed we had sufficient to attain earlier than we did. The sport confirmed we’re succesful, however we all know we in all probability have to provide extra going to their stadium. We’re able to doing it, however we are going to have to be at our best possible.”
Yamal’s penalty was the newest of a number of dramatic finishes to have gone towards Newcastle, with Liverpool and Arsenal claiming late victories at St James’ Park within the Premier League this season.
“It’s my job to attempt to decide them up,” Howe added of the duty of rallying the gamers from the frustration of the late objective.
:We’ve sadly had to do this a couple of instances this season, however our energy of character ought to by no means be doubtful. We will probably be prepared by the point the subsequent recreation comes spherical.
“We consider in ourselves and {our capability} and we’ve proven that in the present day.”
‘Unusual feeling’ for Newcastle hero Barnes
Goalscorer Barnes, in the meantime, conceded to blended feelings, Barca’s equaliser coming after he was withdrawn from the motion in stoppage time.
“It’s a little bit of an odd feeling, we’re solely midway via the tie, we performed very well tonight, saved their harmful gamers quiet,” Barnes instructed Prime Video.
“We obtained forward with an excellent objective, however the way in which it ended it’s a robust one to take, however we’ve to recollect it is just midway via the tie.
“We performed very well within the recreation. We have been on high for lots of it.
“Will probably be a distinct kind of recreation at their place, however we all know what we will do and we all know once we are at our degree how nicely we will play.
“What a sense it might have been to go there 1-0 up however we’re degree within the tie and all to play for. It’s one recreation, away from house, the place we will present what we will do.
“Will probably be an thrilling recreation for us.”
