Eddie Howe maintained that several of his players did not deserve to be on the losing side after Milan’s narrow, late, win at St James’ Park ended injury-ravaged Newcastle’s European adventure.
That 2-1 defeat came as a crushing blow on a night which had begun with Howe’s team harbouring high hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League but well aware that a draw would be sufficient to earn a Europa League place. Instead Joelinton’s first-half goal was not enough as an initially overwhelmed Milan turned the game on its head after Christian Pulisic equalised.
“I’m desperately disappointed,” said Howe, who knew that Newcastle stood to potentially make tens of millions of pounds from continued European involvement and arguably erred in failing to instruct his team to play for the draw which would have ensured Europa League football after Christmas.
“It’s tough to take at the moment. The lads played very well in the first half but Milan’s goals came from our mistakes in transitions, the sort of mistakes that can happen when you are being reactive. I take ownership for that but our intention was very much to stay in the Champions League and I wanted to go for the win.”
Howe was referring to Samuel Chukwueze’s 84th-minute winning goal, which stemmed from a counterattack prompted by a series of home players, most notably the defender Fabian Schär, overcommitting as Newcastle chased a winner.
“We had a few players that didn’t deserve to be on the losing team,” Howe said. “Joelinton scored a great goal and gave a lot physically. It’s not easy to perform with the injury problems we’ve had. Physically, the players are out on their feet.
“I can’t fault the players. I don’t think we were at our absolute best but I can’t fault the commitment. But the pain we feel now has to be motivation for tomorrow.
“We have to make sure our Premier League form is as strong as it can be. I don’t want a hangover against Fulham here on Saturday. Our ambition is there but we have to make it happen. Confidence is a very fragile thing.”
