THE GUARDIAN SAYS – 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.